Up to 1,000 homes for faculty, students and staff
UBC has further refined the concept for the upcoming Stadium Neighbourhood development, which will include midrise and tower homes, retail, amenities and a new Thunderbird stadium.
Up to 67 per cent — or 1,000 homes — will be intended for people affiliated with UBC. This includes ownership options for faculty, below market rental for faculty and staff, and market rental restricted to those who attend or work at UBC.
The remaining 33 per cent will be market leasehold housing, similar to Wesbrook Village, meant to generate funding for the new stadium and neighbourhood development, as well as supporting investments in new rental housing.
The new neighbourhood and stadium will be located on the south west end of campus, near West 16th Avenue and East Mall.
There will be a variety of building types, ranging from six to eight storey wood-frame mid-rises, to five towers ranging from 20 to 32 storeys. Townhomes will be integrated into the podiums of the towers, with unit sizes and layouts suitable for families with children.
The public realm will be designed with pedestrians and cyclists in mind, with a central pedestrian promenade, a plaza, greenways, and a large, natural park adjacent to the existing UBC Botanical Garden.
All underground parking will provide EV charging and secure bike storage, and will be designed for future flexibility as popular modes of transportation evolve.
New UBC Thunderbirds stadium
The new UBC Thunderbirds stadium will include 5,000 permanent seats, as well as a new community recreation green space along Main Mall for temporary large event seating for up to 5,000 additional spectators.
The new stadium will also include a six to eight storey rental housing building along East Mall, adjacent to the covered seating.
Community amenities
UBC hopes to create a complete community with Stadium Neighbourhood, with childcare facilities, retail and academic/flex spaces.
Cafes, shops and services will be located along the new East-West promenade.
Up to three childcare facilities are proposed for the neighbourhood, as well as a new, mid-sized grocery store along East Mall. Up to 37,000 sq ft. of commercial space is anticipated in Stadium Neighbourhood.
The lelem development by the Musqueam Capital Corporation on University Blvd. will also include a grocery store, expected to be open by 2020/2021.
UBC staff expect to present the final Stadium Neighbourhood Plan to the university’s Board of Governors and the public in late 2019. Design and construction of the new stadium could begin in 2020, with residential development to follow.
Editor’s note: Peter Meiszner is an employee of the University of British Columbia.
