Construction is officially underway for two new student housing and dining buildings at the University of Victoria (UVic).
The project will create 621 new student housing spaces, plus a modern 600-seat dining hall, classrooms and conference space. This is the first major capital project since a new Campus Plan was completed by UVic in January 2016.
The two new student housing and dining buildings will be located outside of Ring Road south of the Student Union Building. They are replacing the Cadboro Commons Building as well as Margaret Newton and Emily Carr residences.
The two buildings will accommodate nearly 800 students with a combined total of 783 beds, including 162 replacement beds. A mix of traditional dormitory rooms and community style rooms (single rooms with a shared kitchen and living area) will be offered.
Designed by Perkins + Will, the new facilities are targeting LEED Gold and Passive House standards. Kinetic Construction and EllisDon Corporation are providing construction management services for the $135 million project.
Following UVic’s Indigenous Plan, the buildings will include an Indigenous student lounge and design elements that embrace and reflect Indigenous history and culture.
Amenities will include: a 600-seat dining hall, commercial kitchen, small grocery and new coffee shop; and a wide range of meeting rooms, informal gathering places, classrooms.
A rejuvenated outdoor area will connect the new housing and dining hall to the centre of campus. Other amenities include student group and study spaces, communal social spaces, laundry facilities and secure indoor bicycle storage.
A temporary 500-seat modular dining facility will be operational from September 2020 to July 2022 for students while the new dining hall is under construction. The new hall is expected to open in 2022.
Rooms in Building 1 will be available for students beginning in September 2022. All new housing, dining, meeting spaces and classrooms in both buildings will be available by early 2023.
