Fueled by decades of growth in Canada's energy sector, the skyline of Calgary, Alberta has been subject to numerous high-profile additions in recent years, with many more skyscrapers in various stages of planning, approvals, and construction. The most notable addition to Calgary's skyline in the 2010s thus far has been The Bow, a 58-storey, mixed-use, crescent-shaped tower, that was designed by internationally acclaimed architects Foster + Partners and Zeidler Partnership Architects, and completed in 2012. That will soon change as new additions further transform the landscape.

Thanks to the magic of Google Street View's "time machine" function, we are able to turn back the clock and explore some of the major changes to Calgary's skyline between 2009 and 2015.

2009:

Calgary skyline viewed from the Centre Street Bridge, 2009, image retrieved from Google Street View

In the 2009 image above, a number of cranes can be seen dotting the skyline. The two cranes visible to the immediate left of the Calgary Tower (the observation tower forming a terminating vista in the distance) represent the construction site for The Bow, the structural steel skeleton of which can be seen rising above the treeline. At the centre right of the image, Jamieson Place can be seen approaching its final height. It would open in December 2009. Further to the right, we can see the cranes for One Waterfront, and Outlook at One Waterfront. 

2015:

Calgary skyline viewed from the Centre Street Bridge, 2015, image retrieved from Google Street View

The 2015 image reveals The Bow and Jamieson Place both complete, the latter of which is now joined by the 36-storey City Centre office tower, now topped off at a height of 161.5 metres, or 530 feet. One Waterfront and Outlook at One Waterfront are partially obscured by one of the Centre Street Bridge's distinctive Art Deco lion statues.

The next two images highlight the difference made in Calgary's skyline by current record-holder, The Bow. Both were captured from 5th Avenue, on the south bank of the Bow River, approximately six years apart.

2009:

Calgary skyline viewed from the 5th Avenue Bridge, 2009, image retrieved from Google Street View

This view from 2009, captured from 5th Avenue on the south side of the Bow River, shows another view of the then-rising steel frame of The Bow. Starting on the far left, we can also see the cranes for The Guardian, Alura, Neura, Vetro, and Sasso.

2015:

Calgary skyline viewed from the 5th Avenue Bridge, 2015, image retrieved from Google Street View

The Bow's title of Calgary's tallest will soon be passed on to the under-construction 56-storey first tower of Brookfield Place, currently ascending towards a final height of 247 metres - 11 metres taller than The Bow. Another new tower under construction, the 59-storey Telus Sky, will rise to a height of 222 metres, making it the city's third tallest building after The Bow and Brookfield Place's first tower. 

Do you have photos of Calgary's ever-changing skyline you would like to share with us? Check out our Calgary Skyline Forum thread!