Lower Mall Precinct Student Housing Redevelopment – Phase 1
Project snapshot
Project Size: 66,050 gross square metres
Budget: $560 million estimate
Status: In progress
Project summary
This priority project will redevelop housing at St. John’s College (SJC) to increase on-campus student housing and create a vibrant student-focused precinct on the west side of campus. UBC is committed to supporting the student housing need in the context of significant demand and the growing unaffordability of the region.
Phase 1 is proposed to create multiple buildings with a net addition of 1,325 graduate student beds (approximately 1,500 new beds, including 175 replacement beds). Student Housing and Community Services (SHCS) and Campus + Community Planning (C+CP) are assessing feasibility and conducting early community engagement for the site.
Subsequent project phases will explore additional first-year, upper year, and graduate student beds through further development of the LMP.
Construction area and road closures
Utility work for the Lower Mall Precinct development will be starting in February 2026. Please see the details below for the different phases of construction and the detailed impacts.
Phase 1: Early February to Mid-March 2026
- Lower Mall closed from the West Parkade entry to the south side of the pedestrian crossing in front of Marine Drive Residence
- Sidewalks will remain open
- Access to West Parkade from the north only, i.e. University Boulevard
Phase 2: Mid-March to Late April 2026
- Lower Mall closed from the West Parkade entry to University Boulevard
- Sidewalks will remain open
- Access to West Parkade from the south only, i.e. Agronomy Road
Phase 3: May to Late July 2026
- University Boulevard closed from Lower Mall to NW Marine Drive
- Single lane closed on Lower Mall at University Boulevard
- Sidewalks will remain open
After the utility work is complete, the building construction will start and will continue to September 2029. During this time, University Boulevard will remain fully closed and sidewalks around the construction site will be closed.
Learn more
UBC News (August 2024): Transformative partnership brings 1,500 new student beds to UBC Vancouver