December 9, 2014
Project Backgrounder Enbridge’s move to Edmonton’s Kelly Ramsey Tower and Manulife Place
On December 9, 2014, Enbridge Inc. announced its long-term Edmonton office plans, confirming tenancy agreements in the new Kelly Ramsey Tower and the existing Manulife Place.
Why is Enbridge moving now? As one of the largest private-sector tenants in downtown Edmonton, Enbridge has experienced significant growth and expansion in the downtown core during the past decade, having grown from 170,000 square feet to nearly 650,000 square feet.
This move will consolidate our downtown employees from six building to two, creating a more convenient and collaborative working environment.
Why did you choose the Kelly Ramsey Tower and Manulife Place buildings? Kelly Ramsey Tower and Manulife Place are right at the centre of downtown and provide our employees with convenient access to public transportation. The buildings have indoor connections to excellent amenities for our staff through Edmonton winters, and really give Enbridge the ability to get the whole organization working together in a more consolidated area.
How much space will you now occupy in these buildings? We have secured 14 in the Kelly Ramsey building, currently under construction, and will double our existing occupancy in Manulife Place. This means that 2/3 of our downtown staff will be located in the new Tower and the remaining 1/3 in Manulife Place.
What will happen to the current buildings with the Enbridge logos or names on them (Enbridge Place/ Tower)? The Enbridge names and logos will be removed from these buildings at an appropriate future date. Many of these details will need to be worked out with those landlords as we move forward.
When will these moves take place? Plans for moving are very much in the early stages. We plan to start moving into these new spaces in a staggered approach starting in 2017, and will continue until construction and renovations are completed and leases in other buildings expire. It will be several years before everyone is relocated into new spaces.
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About Enbridge in Edmonton
Our Operations Enbridge is the largest pipeline operator servicing Alberta’s oil sands – the world’s second-largest resource play, with an estimated 170 billion barrels of proven recoverable reserves.
The Edmonton terminal is the starting point of our cross-continent mainline system, connecting northern Alberta’s energy-rich oil sands with North America’s energy-hungry market.
Our Mainline system, which delivers an average of 2.2-million barrels of crude oil and liquids per day, begins at the Edmonton Terminal and travels across the continent to Superior, Wisconsin, exiting the province of Alberta near Provost.
The $7.5-billion Line 3 Replacement Program, announced in March 2014, will represent one of North America’s largest pipeline infrastructure programs. Economic modeling suggest that through the estimated three years it will take to replace Line 3 the Program will generate $216.5- million in tax revenue during the projects’ construction phase (this figure includes provincial good and service taxes) and will contribute $1.389-million to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Alberta.
Enbridge is one of Edmonton’s 10 largest employers, and among the top five employers in the private sector.
Our Commitment to the Capital Region In 2013 and 2014, Enbridge Pipelines Inc. invested sponsorship and donations about $3.8-million dollars to local charitable initiatives in Edmonton. Some of those investments include: Scholarships provided to students at NAIT in their alternative energy technology and biological science/ renewable resources program; Sponsorship of an environmental sustainability leadership award at MacEwan University’s Faculty of Arts and Science; Support of modern and contemporary art exhibitions in Alberta’s oldest cultural institution, the Art Gallery of Alberta; Sponsorship for the artist-in-residence program at the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra; And an internship awards program for The Works Art & Design festival’s annual Summer Solstice Gala event.
But Enbridge’s presence in Edmonton – and our spirit of giving back – is deeper than just at the corporate level. With nearly 2,700 employees calling the Capital Region home, our employee-led volunteer activities continue to weave us in the fabric of the community. In 2013, our employee-led United Way campaign raised more than $1.4-million, helping the Capital Region focus on its objective of creating pathways out of poverty; Earlier this year, through Enbridge’s Volunteers in Partnership (VIP), members of our Edmonton team volunteered in the Five Hole for Food event in support of Edmonton’s Food Bank, raising more than 38,000 lbs. of food for those less fortunate. Enbridge has been a national title sponsor of the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer cycling fundraiser since 2010. In that time, more than 500 Enbridge employees, and their families and
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friends, have participated as riders and raised nearly $2.19-million toward cancer research, treatment and care in Alberta.
About the Kelly Ramsey Tower
The Kelly Ramsey Tower is located on 102nd Avenue, between 101st Street and 100A Street N.W. At 550,000 square feet, the 25 storey AA office building is scheduled to reach completion in 2016. The tower will incorporate the original facades of the historical Kelly and Ramsey Buildings which sat vacant for several years after a fire in 2009.
The Kelly Ramsey Tower builders also plan to attain LEED Gold Certification – one of the highest standards for environmental sustainability.
A brief history of the building The Kelly and Ramsey Buildings had been vacant for years after a fire had made them structurally unsound. The entire site was assembled by local developer, John Day who started putting together plans for redevelopment. The Historic Kelly and Ramsey buildings were carefully deconstructed and the bricks were put into storage. Once construction of the Kelly Ramsey Tower allows the exterior to be complete, the bricks and stonework of portions of the main thru 4th floors of the former Kelly and Ramsey buildings will be reintegrated into the new building exterior, keeping the historical façade of these buildings. The main floor retail is targeted to bring back the life that used to be on Rice Howard Way in the form of great restaurants and coffee shops to act as an amenity to the tenants of the Kelly Ramsey Tower and the entire neighborhood.
How will this building impact the surrounding area? This Tower will have a significant positive impact to the surrounding area as it will take two former unoccupied buildings and bring new life to this area with its street front amenities, connectivity to Manulife Place and Scotia Place, and also the fact of the tenant base that is looking to create a new more dynamic culture in Edmonton’s downtown. There have been so many positive comments from the entire downtown community on what this building represents it has literally been hard to keep track.
What makes this building unique? This building blends the historic architecture and old world culture of the now deconstructed Kelly and Ramsey buildings with the design and efficiencies of a modern structure.
About Manulife Place
Manulife Place, Edmonton’s tallest building, is a landmark 36-storey office tower located on 102nd Avenue between 101st Street and 102nd Street. At 745,000 square feet, the building features flexible and efficient floor plates and spectacular panoramic views of the city and the river valley. The complex features two storeys of retail and an array of on-site amenities.
Manulife Place is located in the heart of Edmonton’s business district and is easily accessible by all modes of transportation: car, foot or public transportation. Manulife Place anchors downtown
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Edmonton through its Pedway system, an above ground bridge system that provides year round access from many of Edmonton’s downtown office towers and retail centres.
Manulife Place is a LEED® EB Gold building.
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