Information
Landmark: Bow BuildingCity: Calgary
Country: Canada
Continent: North America
Bow Building, Calgary, Canada, North America
Overview
The Bow Building stands out as one of Calgary’s most iconic skyscrapers, its sweeping glass curve catching the sunlight and commanding a bold place in the city’s skyline.It’s a landmark in Calgary’s business district, and it also showcases modern urban design and bold innovation, with glass panels that catch the sunlight like ripples on water.The Bow Building sits at 500 Centre Street SE, right in the heart of downtown Calgary, where glass towers catch the late afternoon sun.Right in the middle of the city, it sits steps away from tall glass office towers, busy shops, and the main transit hub, so it’s easy to spot and even easier to reach.The Bow rises 236 meters-about 774 feet-across 58 floors, its glass curve towering among Calgary’s tallest buildings.The building wrapped up construction in 2017, after years of blueprints, hammering, and dust in the air.Developer: Hines teamed up with Crescent Point Energy to create The Bow.The building was built to be Encana Corporation’s headquarters, the Calgary-based energy giant whose glass-walled offices once overlooked the city skyline.The Bow Building’s bold, modern curves make it instantly recognizable against Calgary’s skyline, catching the light like a silver ribbon at sunrise.Number one.The Bow’s standout feature is its sweeping curved glass façade, catching the light like a river bend and giving the tower a sleek, futuristic look.The design draws on the curve of a bow and the straight line of an arrow, echoing the building’s name and the sweeping plains of Alberta.Flowing Aesthetic: The building’s sweeping curves give it a sense of motion, setting it apart from the straight-edged skyscrapers that line most city streets.Two.The Bow was built with sustainability at its core, weaving in green technologies and energy-saving features-from sun-tracking glass panels to efficient heating systems.The Bow earned LEED Gold certification for its strong commitment to sustainability, from energy-efficient lighting to smart water use.This certification shows the building’s work to shrink its environmental footprint, boost energy efficiency, and weave sustainability into everything from pouring the concrete to switching on the lights.Energy Efficiency: The building uses cutting-edge systems to save power, from high-efficiency heating and cooling to bright, low-energy lights that keep the halls glowing while cutting consumption.Number three.At the heart of the Bow, a sturdy central core anchors the building, built to handle its unusual curve and keep it steady.The design uses advanced engineering to shape the building’s sweeping curve, like a ribbon caught in the wind, while keeping its structure solid and sound.Inside the building, the floors stack in a vertical layout that lets sunlight stream deep into each level while keeping energy costs down.Step inside the Bow Building and you’ll find it’s every bit as striking as its glassy, curved facade, with sleek, world-class offices and thoughtful amenities.First.The Bow is home to Encana Corporation’s main offices, along with several other companies, its glass tower catching the sunlight over downtown.The building offers sleek, modern offices where teams can work side by side and get things done quickly.These offices feature cutting-edge tech and open onto sweeping views of downtown Calgary, with the Rockies rising pale blue in the distance.Open-Concept Layout: The workspace flows without walls, making it easy for employees to catch someone’s eye or swap ideas as they pass.Every office has big glass windows that flood the room with sunlight and open up sweeping views, like city rooftops stretching into the distance.Step two.At the foot of the Bow, a broad public plaza stretches out, offering a lively spot where workers, visitors, and locals can stop to talk or enjoy the sunshine.In the heart of downtown Calgary, the plaza offers shady lawns, benches you can sink into, and a winding path where pedestrians stroll, creating a place that feels genuinely inviting.On the ground floor, you’ll find retail spots-everything from a warm corner café to bustling shops and lively restaurants.They give workers and visitors an easy place to go, with a lively street scene where you might catch the smell of fresh coffee drifting from a corner café.Three.One of the Bow’s most striking elements is the Sky Gardens Atrium-a soaring, light-filled space that rises through several floors.The atrium marks the building’s main entrance, opening into a bright, echoing space that feels worlds apart from the usual closed-in offices.At its upper floors, The Bow features sky gardens where glass walls frame sweeping views of the city.These garden spaces give people a quiet spot to pause, sip some fresh air, and take in the city skyline framed by trees.Beyond its striking design and engineering, the Bow also hums with art and culture-think bold murals and lively public installations right in the heart of Calgary.One.The Bow showcases a striking collection of public art that brings its sleek glass façade and the nearby streets to life.You’ll find these works in the building’s atrium and scattered through its public spaces, a splash of Calgary’s culture and artistry greeting you as you pass.Two.The Bow Building now stands as a striking marker of Calgary’s shift from a resource-driven past to a vibrant, modern city, its glass curve catching the prairie sunlight.It’s a clear sign of Calgary’s rising global profile and bold ambitions, bustling with business activity and anchoring the city’s skyline like a gleaming glass marker against the prairie sky.The Bow stands among Calgary’s tallest landmarks, just a step below The Bow Tower and the Suncor Energy Centre-its glass curves catching the prairie sunlight.Curved Design: The bow’s sweeping curve tested the design and engineering teams, forcing them to solve tricky alignment issues.They had to plan every detail and bring in inventive technology to make sure the building could carry its sweeping exterior and stand up to Calgary’s fickle weather-snow swirling in winter, wind whipping year-round.The Bow offers top-tier office space for major corporations, built with room to grow and ready for cutting-edge technology-from fiber-optic wiring to flexible floor plans.In the end, The Bow stands as Calgary’s architectural jewel, blending sleek, forward-thinking design with eco-friendly touches and upscale comforts like sunlit lounges that overlook the city.It stands out in the heart of downtown, a bright marker against Calgary’s skyline and a clear sign of the city’s rapid growth and modern spirit.Whether you’re gazing up at its sweeping glass curves, wandering through its bright public atrium, or sitting at a desk inside, the Bow shows how modern design and engineering can reshape a skyline and breathe new life into the city around it.
