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Coordinates: 51°02′49″N 114°04′12″W / 51.04694°N 114.07000°W / 51.04694; -114.07000
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{{Short description|Office tower in Calgary, Alberta, Canada}}
{{Distinguish|First Canadian Place}}
{{Distinguish|First Canadian Place}}
{{Infobox building
{{Infobox building
|name = First Canadian Centre
| name = First Canadian Centre
|status =Complete
| status = Complete
|image = fcc 2.jpg
| image = fcc 2.jpg
|image_size = 150px
| image_size = 150px
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| address = 350 7 Avenue SW<br />[[Calgary]], [[Alberta]]<br />T2P 3N9
|caption = First Canadian Centre
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| coordinates = {{coord|51|02|49|N|114|04|12|W|region:CA_scale:5000|display=inline,title}}
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|location = [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]]<br>[[Canada]]
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| start_date =
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|coordinates = {{coord|51|02|49|N|114|04|12|W|region:CA_scale:5000|display=inline,title}}
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| completion_date = 1982<ref name=emporis/>
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|start_date =
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| owner =
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|completion_date = 1982<ref name=emporis/>
|architect = [[Bregman + Hamann Architects]]
| cost =
| floor_area = {{convert|48,275|sqm|abbr=on}}
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|owner =
|cost =
| top_floor =
|floor_area =
| floor_count = 41<ref name=emporis/>
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| building_type = Office
|top_floor =
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| antenna_spire =
|floor_count = 41<ref name=emporis/>
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| roof = {{convert|166.7|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=sspages/>
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|building_type = Office
⚫
| elevator_count =
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|antenna_spire =
| architect = [[Skidmore, Owings & Merrill]]
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|roof = {{convert|166.7|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=sspages/>
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| structural_engineer =
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|elevator_count =
| main_contractor = PCL Construction Management Inc.
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|structural_engineer=
|main_contractor =
| opening =
|opening =
| developer =
| references = <ref>{{cite web|title=First Canadian Centre|url=http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/first-canadian-centre/2963|website=Skyscraper Center|publisher=CTBUH|accessdate=26 September 2017}}</ref>
|developer =
}}
}}


'''First Canadian Centre''' is an office tower in [[Calgary|Calgary, Alberta]] designed by Donald C. Smith (1929–2014) of the New York firm [[Skidmore, Owings & Merrill]]. It was the second SOM project in Calgary after [[Toronto-Dominion Square]], which is on the neighbouring block to the south. The project was intended to include 41-storey and 64-storey towers connected by a banking hall. However, due to the [[early 1980s recession]], the taller tower was never completed.
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'''First Canadian Centre''' is an office tower in [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]], [[Canada]].


Located at 350 7th Avenue SW in the city's [[Downtown Calgary|downtown core]], it stands at {{convert|167|m|ft}} or 41 storeys tall.<ref name=emporis>{{Cite web| url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=112455 |title=First Canadian Centre|author=Emporis|authorlink=Emporis|accessdate=2007-09-08}}</ref> The skyscraper has a floor area of {{convert|48275|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} and was built in the [[International style (architecture)|international]] and late [[Modern architecture|modernist]] architectural styles.<ref name=sspages>{{Cite web| url=http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=4454|title= First Canadian Centre| author=Skyscraper Pages| accessdate=2007-09-08}}</ref>
Located at 350 7 Avenue SW in the city's [[Downtown Calgary|downtown core]], it stands at {{convert|167|m|ft}} or 41 storeys tall.<ref name=emporis>{{Cite web| url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=112455 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040815232033/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=112455 | url-status=usurped | archive-date=August 15, 2004 |title=First Canadian Centre|author=Emporis|authorlink=Emporis|accessdate=2007-09-08}}</ref> The skyscraper has a floor area of {{convert|48275|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} and was built in the [[International style (architecture)|international]] and late [[Modern architecture|modernist]] architectural styles.<ref name=sspages>{{Cite web| url=http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=4454|title= First Canadian Centre| author=Skyscraper Pages| accessdate=2007-09-08}}</ref>


The [[Bank of Montreal]] occupies most of the ground floor with a large retail bank branch.
The [[Bank of Montreal]] occupies most of the ground floor with a large retail bank branch.


==History==
==History==
⚫
Original plans called for a two tower complex, with this tower being the first of the two tower project. The second tower would have had 64 storeys. A downturn in the local economy at that time forced plans for the second tower to be shelved. The second tower, at the corner of Seventh Avenue SW and Second Street SW, with a proposed opposite top slope to the first tower, to be 64 stories, was started in 1981, with the pouring of its foundation at street level from both 7th Avenue and 2nd Street. All traffic was stopped by police during the night to allow concrete trucks to reign non-stop along Seventh Avenue. Ten thousand cubic metres of concrete was placed in 26 hours, making it the largest continuous concrete pour in North America at the time. Concrete was supplied from two ready mix plants, approximately eight concrete pump trucks were strategically located along the east and north sides of the construction site. Twenty 1-metre dia. half pipes placed along Seventh Avenue which were used to place the greatest volume of concrete from street level to the foundation 3 stories below. The large foundation and parking levels still remain covered by a park at street level with the hope for the tower to be constructed in the future.
It was designed by [[Bregman + Hamann Architects]], and was the tallest building in Calgary (surpassing [[Scotia Centre (Calgary)|Scotia Centre]]) when it was completed in 1982.

Original plans called for a two tower complex, with this tower being the first of the two tower project. The second tower would have had 64 storeys. A downturn in the local economy at that time forced plans for the second tower to be shelved. However, with the recent boom in Calgary,{{When|date=April 2012}} the vacancy rate in the downtown core has dropped to 0.5 per cent, the lowest in North America. This has created a highly rumoured resurrection of the second tower, as a land use amendment has been submitted to city council for approval.<ref>City of Calgary. [http://www.calgary.ca/docgallery/BU/planning/pdf/cpc_agendas/2006_november_30/loc2006_0076.pdf Land Use Amendment]</ref>
⚫
The second tower, at the corner of Seventh Avenue and Second Street, with a proposed opposite top slope to the first tower, to be 64 stories, was started in 1981, with the pouring of its foundation at street level from both 7th Avenue and 2nd Street. All traffic was stopped by police during the night to allow concrete trucks to reign non-stop along Seventh Avenue. Ten thousand cubic metres of concrete was placed in 26 hours, making it the largest continuous concrete pour in North America at the time. Concrete was supplied from two ready mix plants, approximately eight concrete pump trucks were strategically located along the east and north sides of the construction site. Twenty 1-metre dia. half pipes placed along Seventh Avenue which were used to place the greatest volume of concrete from street level to the foundation 3 stories below. The large foundation and parking levels still remain covered by a park at street level with the hope for the tower to be constructed in the future.
Dome Petroleum was slated to move into the second tower using a large portion of it for its Calgary based operation, nicknaming it "The Dome Tower" prior to its construction. With the National Energy Program slowing Alberta's oil and gas industry in the early 1980s, Dome's profits were hit hard and caused the company to withdraw from the tower's acquisition, which may have had a large effect for the tower's demise.
Dome Petroleum was slated to move into the second tower using a large portion of it for its Calgary based operation, nicknaming it "The Dome Tower" prior to its construction. With the National Energy Program slowing Alberta's oil and gas industry in the early 1980s, Dome's profits were hit hard and caused the company to withdraw from the tower's acquisition, which may have had a large effect for the tower's demise.
During the construction of the West Tower, it was rumored that the future East Tower had an “open-ended” design plan that could potentially add extra floors to the top of the tower in order to attain title of the tallest building in Calgary, as the Petro-Canada Tower at Fifth Ave and Centre Street was then under construction and its total height was to end up being the tallest building in Calgary.
During the construction of the West Tower, it was rumored that the future East Tower had an "open-ended" design plan that could potentially add extra floors to the top of the tower in order to attain title of the tallest building in Calgary, as the Petro-Canada Tower at Fifth Ave and Centre Street was then under construction and its total height was to end up being the tallest building in Calgary.
The existing East Tower is clad entirely with white-grey marble slabs imported from a quarry in Italy, as was the second tower to be clad identically.
The existing West Tower is clad entirely with white-grey marble slabs imported from a quarry in Italy; the second tower was to be clad identically.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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{{Calgary landmarks}}
{{Calgary landmarks}}


[[Category:Buildings and structures in Calgary]]
[[Category:Office buildings completed in 1982]]
[[Category:Office buildings completed in 1982]]
[[Category:Skyscrapers in Calgary]]
[[Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Calgary]]
[[Category:Bank buildings in Canada]]
[[Category:Bank buildings in Canada]]
[[Category:Bank of Montreal]]
[[Category:Bank of Montreal]]
[[Category:Modernist architecture in Canada]]
[[Category:Modernist architecture in Canada]]
[[Category:1982 establishments in Alberta]]
[[Category:1982 establishments in Alberta]]
[[Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Canada]]

Latest revision as of 15:57, 26 August 2024

Not to be confused with First Canadian Place.
First Canadian Centre
Map
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeOffice
Address350 7 Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 3N9
Coordinates51°02′49″N 114°04′12″W / 51.04694°N 114.07000°W / 51.04694; -114.07000
Completed1982[1]
Height
Roof166.7 m (547 ft)[2]
Technical details
Floor count41[1]
Floor area48,275 m2 (519,630 sq ft)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Main contractorPCL Construction Management Inc.
References
[3]

First Canadian Centre is an office tower in Calgary, Alberta designed by Donald C. Smith (1929–2014) of the New York firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. It was the second SOM project in Calgary after Toronto-Dominion Square, which is on the neighbouring block to the south. The project was intended to include 41-storey and 64-storey towers connected by a banking hall. However, due to the early 1980s recession, the taller tower was never completed.

Located at 350 7 Avenue SW in the city's downtown core, it stands at 167 metres (548 ft) or 41 storeys tall.[1] The skyscraper has a floor area of 48,275 m2 (519,630 sq ft) and was built in the international and late modernist architectural styles.[2]

The Bank of Montreal occupies most of the ground floor with a large retail bank branch.

History

[edit]

Original plans called for a two tower complex, with this tower being the first of the two tower project. The second tower would have had 64 storeys. A downturn in the local economy at that time forced plans for the second tower to be shelved. The second tower, at the corner of Seventh Avenue SW and Second Street SW, with a proposed opposite top slope to the first tower, to be 64 stories, was started in 1981, with the pouring of its foundation at street level from both 7th Avenue and 2nd Street. All traffic was stopped by police during the night to allow concrete trucks to reign non-stop along Seventh Avenue. Ten thousand cubic metres of concrete was placed in 26 hours, making it the largest continuous concrete pour in North America at the time. Concrete was supplied from two ready mix plants, approximately eight concrete pump trucks were strategically located along the east and north sides of the construction site. Twenty 1-metre dia. half pipes placed along Seventh Avenue which were used to place the greatest volume of concrete from street level to the foundation 3 stories below. The large foundation and parking levels still remain covered by a park at street level with the hope for the tower to be constructed in the future. Dome Petroleum was slated to move into the second tower using a large portion of it for its Calgary based operation, nicknaming it "The Dome Tower" prior to its construction. With the National Energy Program slowing Alberta's oil and gas industry in the early 1980s, Dome's profits were hit hard and caused the company to withdraw from the tower's acquisition, which may have had a large effect for the tower's demise. During the construction of the West Tower, it was rumored that the future East Tower had an "open-ended" design plan that could potentially add extra floors to the top of the tower in order to attain title of the tallest building in Calgary, as the Petro-Canada Tower at Fifth Ave and Centre Street was then under construction and its total height was to end up being the tallest building in Calgary. The existing West Tower is clad entirely with white-grey marble slabs imported from a quarry in Italy; the second tower was to be clad identically.

[edit]
  • Street view
    Street view
  • From the North East
    From the North East
  • From the North West
    From the North West

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Emporis. "First Canadian Centre". Archived from the original on August 15, 2004. Retrieved 2007-09-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ a b Skyscraper Pages. "First Canadian Centre". Retrieved 2007-09-08.
  3. ^ "First Canadian Centre". Skyscraper Center. CTBUH. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
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