The Bow

The Bow is a 58-story skyscraper in downtown Calgary with a distinctive curved glass exterior that resembles an archer's bow and stands 237.5 meters tall. The building contains three sky gardens at levels 24, 42, and 54 with mature trees and facilities for office occupants.

Construction started in 2007 and finished in 2012, representing a significant investment exceeding one billion dollars. The project used approximately 48,000 tonnes of steel and marked a milestone in Calgary's downtown development.

A public plaza at ground level features a monumental head sculpture by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, inviting people to gather and interact with public art. The sculpture creates a human connection between this modern tower and the city's residents and visitors.

The building is accessible from multiple levels, with gardens spread across different floors offering various vantage points throughout. The green spaces inside help create comfortable stopping points and make navigation easier within this large structure.

The curved shape was engineered to reduce wind resistance while maximizing sun exposure, leading to energy savings of around 30 percent. This design choice makes the building work harder for its occupants' comfort without consuming excess power.

Location: Alberta

Inception: 2012

Architects: Foster and Partners, Norman Foster, Eberhard Zeidler

Official opening: 2012

Architectural style: modern architecture

Floors above the ground: 58

Floors below the ground: 6

Height: 237.5 m

Shares border with: TC Energy Tower

Address: 500 Centre Street SE

GPS coordinates: 51.04778,-114.06222

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:00