Western University to construct two new residence buildings
In an effort to provide more “safe and affordable living options,” Western University recently announced plans to construct two new residence buildings capable of housing 1,000 students.
According to Western University, two new residence buildings currently under development will house 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students on campus.
The undergraduate residence will be located on University Drive, next to Elgin Hall, and will house between 600 and 800 students. The style of the residence will be hybrid, with two bedrooms sharing a private washroom.
An apartment building set to house 300 upper-year and graduate students, and some international students, will be built on Platt’s Lane. The building will focus on “independent living” and will be comprised of studio apartments, one-bedroom units and two-bedroom units.
“Western operates the largest student housing system in the province and second largest in the country,” said Chris Alleyne, associate vice-president of housing and ancillary services. “We know how important on-campus housing is for our students and we pride ourselves on the positive and supportive environment within our residences.”
Over the spring and summer months Western held student workshops to develop the design of the suite layouts and to prioritize building amenities.
The residence is expected to include a large dining hall, floor lounges, study nooks and common spaces.
According to Western, students emphasized wellness and a connection to nature as top priorities during the consultation phase. Proposed features of the new University Drive residence include a fitness facility, outdoor gathering spaces, and the use of natural light and finishes.
The undergraduate residence on University Drive will be located just inside the university’s main entrance off of Richmond Street.
"We recognize this is the front door to the university in many ways,” said Alleyne. “The building design needs to reflect the values of the institution and welcome the community to campus.”
Designs for the buildings is set to go to Western’s board of governors in the fall for final approval, with construction set to break ground in spring 2024.
The university is considering phased openings starting in September 2025 to accommodate students as soon as possible, with the residences expected to be fully operational by September 2026.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides
Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'
NDP house leader says House dysfunction will be a factor in future confidence votes
NDP House leader Peter Julian says there's more his party wants to do in Parliament before the next election, but if the current dysfunction continues it will become a factor in how they vote on a confidence measure.
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Youth pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of P.E.I. teen Tyson MacDonald
A teen charged with the murder of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.
BREAKING Jury begins deliberations in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial
The jury tasked with determining if Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard sexually assaulted a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago began deliberating Friday after nearly two weeks of testimony that saw the singer and his accuser give starkly different accounts of what happened.
BREAKING Here's what the jury didn't hear in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial
A northeastern Ontario jury has started deliberating in Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial, we can now tell you what they weren't allowed to hear.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
Scientists looked at images from space to see how fast Antarctica is turning green. Here's what they found
Parts of icy Antarctica are turning green with plant life at an alarming rate as the region is gripped by extreme heat events, according to new research, sparking concerns about the changing landscape on this vast continent.
Suspect in shooting of Toronto cop was out on bail
A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by CTV News Toronto show.