Telus to build new headquarters in Vancouver

Telus has announced plans to rebuild its headquarters in downtown Vancouver as part of a $750-million redevelopment plan that will include new office and residential towers.

The plan includes a 22-storey office tower for the communications company's headquarters. Designed by Henriquez Partners Architects, it will be the first of its kind in Canada built to the environmental LEED Platinum standard, according to the company.

"Once complete, Telus's new headquarters will be unique in North America, featuring 10,000 square feet of green roofs providing organic produce for local restaurants, two elevated roof forests, British Columbia artwork, LED lighting on the western faade projecting programmable coloured images on to fritted glass, and media walls where cultural events such as symphony concerts can be broadcast to the public," according to a statement issued by Telus on Wednesday.

The new buildings will be located on the same block already occupied by a Telus building, bounded by West Georgia, Richards, Robson and Seymour streets.

The plan also includes a 44-storey residential tower built to LEED Gold standards on the site. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fall and be completed in 2015.

"The fact that Telus is choosing to build a new national headquarters in Vancouver is a great vote of confidence in our local economy," said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said in the statement.

"Their proposal to build to LEED Platinum is extremely ambitious and sends a signal that in Vancouver, going green is good for business and the environment," he said.

On Monday Telus announced plans to spend$670 million to upgrade its network in B.C.