Genevieve Simms
The Calgary Tower is about to be given a needed injection of cool. Its image is ubiquitous shorthand for Calgary though the city icon has lost something of its lustre over the years. It no longer dominates the skyline as it did when it was erected 40 years ago. Nonetheless the tower remains a source of civic pride for city residents even if they can’t recall the last time they ascended its cement heights.
The Concorde Entertainment Group is now working with the tower’s owners Aspen Properties to renovate and reinvigorate the structure. Construction is ongoing on phase one of the project which was initiated in February. The overhaul will see the old Panorama Restaurant become Sky 360. The room will open sometime in August with an updated menu and modernized look. Phase two the club portion is now in the planning stages. The tower’s two-level observation deck will be transformed and do double duty as a nightclub each evening at 9 p.m. Construction will begin in late September with its completion tentatively scheduled for late November.
Concorde owner Victor Choy the man behind clubs such as The Whiskey Republik nightclub and The Mercury was easily convinced to take on the tower project. “The clincher for me” he says “was a meeting I had with Rob Blackwell from Aspen. It was one in the morning on a Friday. We went up the elevator and there was nobody there. Just to see the skyline it was amazing. You see all city lights and stars.”
Though it’s being given a shot of the alterna-cool that Choy’s establishments are noted for he is keen to maintain the tower’s appeal as a destination for tourists and local sightseers of all ages and all walks of life. During the day the upper observation deck lounge will function as a cappuccino bar. At night it will serve alcohol. The deck’s nightlife programming will also include a spectrum of music including jazz blues and DJ nights. The view of course will remain spectacular.
Choy admits he feels pressure to get the job done right. “We’re representing a city landmark here” he says. “It’s our equivalent of the CN Tower.”
