After nearly a year of back-and-forth talks, Telus and the city of Victoria agreed on final plans for the telecommunications company’s proposed headquarters in British Columbia’s capital, which is now heading to a public hearing. reports The Times Colonist.
Telus originally announced the ‘Telus Ocean’ project in 2020, and the proposal has been about to receive approval for a public hearing since March.
However, the 12-story Telus tower that has been approved for public hearing is not the same as the one originally proposed. Telus is working with Victoria-based development partner Aryze to design and develop the new building.
During these months of negotiations, Victoria had Telus reduce the massive glass structure in various ways before a public hearing was even considered.
Apparently happy with Telus’ alterations to the original proposal, Coun. Jeremy Loveday made a motion to hold a public hearing on the rezoning proposal. The motion passed on Thursday.
Here are some notable changes the developers made to the plans for the Telus regional headquarters in order to gain council approval:
- The size of the building was reduced by approximately 10,000 square feet.
- Slightly realigned building, which now extends the plaza to Humboldt Street and also helps with the preservation of trees.
- The originally proposed digital display on one side of the tower was removed.
- Construction plans rotated 4.5 m from the north end of the property to allow for larger sidewalks with trees, as well as to improve the view when approaching from the north
- The Telus sign, originally proposed to be placed on top of the building’s east face, was lowered.
- A wood finish was added to the east side of the building, in hopes of reducing the amount of glass.
However, not everyone is satisfied with the changes. Councilman Geoff Young, who opposed a public hearing for the site, believes the now smaller Telus Ocean is still too ambitious for its location.
“In general, I still think that the size, mass and height are greater than this sensitive site can accommodate,” he said.
However, the final word now falls to the folks in Victoria, who have to decide whether a 12-story Telus HQ, made largely of a glass exterior, in their city is really a good idea.