TELUS is planning a brand new Flatiron workplace constructing with ocean motifs in downtown Victoria

In cooperation with Aryze Developments from Vancouver Island, TELUS is planning the construction of a purpose-built office building at a prominent city-owned location in downtown Victoria.

The telecommunications giant was selected by the city government to develop the 27,900 square foot triangular vacant lot at 767 Douglas Street – the prominent corner of Douglas Street and Humbolt Streets – immediately east of the Fairmont The Empress Hotel and north of Crystal Gardens.

The project called TELUS Ocean is a 53 meter high, 11-storey, iron-shaped building with a total usable area of ​​approx. 155,000 m², including 117,000 m² of office space on eight upper floors.

This includes two office floors for 250 TELUS employees and an innovation center with the latest communication and information technology. The remaining office floors are available for other tenants to rent.

TELUS Ocean is located at 767 Douglas Street, Victoria. (Aryze developments / TELUS)

Floor plan of TELUS Ocean at 767 Douglas Street, Victoria. (Aryze developments / TELUS)

A unique multi-storey indoor and outdoor area on the roof will serve as a venue for events and gatherings, while the ground floor will have around 5,000 m² of retail and catering space that will activate the new public space created by the project. including places.

A large video screen helps activate the south square, which is great for outdoor community events.

Artist’s impression of TELUS Ocean at 767 Douglas Street, Victoria. (Aryze developments / TELUS)

Artist’s impression of TELUS Ocean at 767 Douglas Street, Victoria. (Aryze developments / TELUS)

The multi-storey office lobby, which also serves as an additional event and assembly room, creates an additional sense of space with its undulating water feature that encompasses the indoor and outdoor areas. It is lined with a carved wooden bench that acts as an ornate backdrop for the amphitheater on the second level of the lobby. The main entrance is also demarcated by a “tidal pool” planter with colorful native plants.

As for the overall shape of the building, carved landscaped terraces address the privacy concerns of an adjacent residential building and provide office tenants with outdoor work and lounges.

Artist’s impression of TELUS Ocean at 767 Douglas Street, Victoria. (Aryze developments / TELUS)

Artist’s impression of TELUS Ocean at 767 Douglas Street, Victoria. (Aryze developments / TELUS)

The building got its name both from its historical distribution and from the glass facade design, which is said to be inspired by the waves of the ocean.

“The uniquely shaped location of TELUS Ocean is intended to function as an urban hub and nexus, which will transition from surrounding cultural and commercial uses to residential uses such as hotels and apartment buildings,” says the design basis.

“An inviting public space is created by pushing the building envelope inward on the slope while pushing the southern apex down to reveal important views. A bold thematic reference to the local context is integrated into the building facade, with light-shaping window shafts that provide a visual reference to a rolling sea wave. “

Artist’s impression of TELUS Ocean at 767 Douglas Street, Victoria. (Aryze developments / TELUS)

Artist’s impression of TELUS Ocean at 767 Douglas Street, Victoria. (Aryze developments / TELUS)

Three basement floors will accommodate 127 parking spaces for cars and 140 for bicycles.

Similar to the TELUS Garden office tower in downtown Vancouver, the roof of the building is crowned by solar panels that provide power for the outdoor lighting.

With the aim of providing the city center with an economic upswing and anchor business, the city of Victoria decided on the development proposal from TELUS after receiving six offers from a procurement process that began in 2017 for the first time. The city says that the proposed TELUS Ocean got the highest score.

The building’s event and assembly facilities are intended to enable new synergies with the neighboring Victoria Conference Center and hotel.

Artist’s impression of TELUS Ocean at 767 Douglas Street, Victoria. (Aryze developments / TELUS)

Artist’s impression of TELUS Ocean at 767 Douglas Street, Victoria. (Aryze developments / TELUS)

Artist’s impression of TELUS Ocean at 767 Douglas Street, Victoria. (Aryze developments / TELUS)

TELUS is acquiring the city-owned property for $ 8.1 million plus up to $ 1.1 million, depending on the final offer submitted. Both the company and the city government will share the environmental and geotechnical costs of redeveloping the site, with the city contributing $ 2.37 million.

The property’s land was created by backfilling James Bay in the early 1900s and later housed a furniture maker and large laundry. The site is currently occupied by two car rental companies.

Artist’s impression of TELUS Ocean at 767 Douglas Street, Victoria. (Aryze developments / TELUS)

Artist’s impression of TELUS Ocean at 767 Douglas Street, Victoria. (Aryze developments / TELUS)

In 2015, the company completed the 22-story, 450,000-square-foot TELUS Garden office tower, which is home to the company’s headquarters and the first Amazon office in Vancouver. The building was sold to an unnamed buyer in 2018, with the company leasing its office space.

At the beginning of this year, the company completed TELUS Sky in downtown Calgary – a 59-story high-rise with 422,000 m² of office space and 341 apartments.

Artist’s impression of TELUS Ocean at 767 Douglas Street, Victoria. (Aryze developments / TELUS)