Calgary Tower

The tower began as a joint venture between Marathon Realty, the real estate arm of Canadian Pacific, and Husky Oil, tied to Canada's 1967 centennial and an urban renewal plan. Construction began on 19 February 1967 and took about 15 months at a cost of C$3.5 million. The concrete shaft was poured continuously from 15 May 1967 over 24 days, averaging about 7.6 metres a day. The tower opened in ceremonies from 28 to 30 June 1968, and was described as the tallest structure in Calgary and in Canada outside Toronto.

One story is well documented: developers reportedly gave a deliberately lower height of 187 metres (613 feet) at first, and revealed the true figure after San Antonio announced its 190-metre Tower of the Americas. Wikipedia attributes the intent to discourage rivals. The tower's own site credits W. G. Milne with A. Dale and Associates as architects, though other sources vary.

A natural gas cauldron was installed in October 1987 and first lit on 13 February 1988 when the Winter Olympics opened, and has been relit for events such as Canada Day. An upper-level refurbishment of about C$2.4 million in the late 1980s added the revolving restaurant now called Sky 360, which rotates about once every 45 minutes by day and 60 in the evening. A glass floor on the north side of the deck opened on 24 June 2005, letting visitors look down at 9th Avenue and Centre Street. LED lighting has been in use since October 2014.

The tower was designed to withstand earthquakes and winds up to 161 km/h, according to the tower. Wikipedia gives its weight as approximately 10,884 tonnes, about 60 percent of it below ground. The roof is 171 metres and the top floor 157.6 metres above the base. The stairs are closed to the public, though they have been used for charity stair races; Wikipedia cites 802 steps from Emporis. In 1983 the Petro-Canada Centre's west tower overtook it as the city's tallest structure. A carillon donated by the Dutch community in 1975 was played daily until 1987 and has since been restored, per Wikipedia. Airport staff still say Husky Tower to distinguish it from their own control tower. The observation level originally housed a lounge called the Hitching Post, and a glass rotunda lobby was added in 1990.

The observation deck gives 360-degree views of the skyline and the Bow River valley, and the Rockies on a clear day. The tower is linked to the Plus 15 skywalk, and Vertigo Theatre is at its base. The tower is a founding member of the World Federation of Great Towers.

• It is easy to combine with East Village, the Studio Bell music centre, and Stephen Avenue.
• Check the Calgary Tower for current hours, tickets and restaurant service.
• A private driver can drop you at the base and handle onward travel toward Banff or the airport.