U Boulevard Area Planning

University Boulevard is the “front door” to the university – the academic and social heart of UBC.

The U Boulevard area has seen significant changes over the past 5 years. Over the next few years, UBC is planning to add more student housing, academic facilities, and amenities in support of the Board approved vision for the area.
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University Boulevard

Overview

A map of the U Boulevard areaThe U Boulevard area is the mixed-use heart of UBC, and includes the Alumni Centre, AMS Nest, Life Building (formerly: the SUB), Aquatic Centre, UBC Bus Exchange, student housing, rental housing, commercial amenities, student services, a vibrant public realm, public art, and potentially a future connection to SkyTrain.

University Boulevard is the most important entry to the campus. It is the main entry for buses, which transport 55% of people arriving to UBC (that’s around 80,000 trips every day). It also houses much of UBC’s upper-year student population, at Gage Towers, the recently completed Tallwood House and Exchange Residence, and will add almost 2,000 more student beds with a new Pacific Residences and Brock Commons Phase 2 residences.

A number of important student services can be found in the AMS Nest, Brock Hall and the Life Building, and key athletics and recreation facilities, including the Aquatic Centre, the Student Recreation Centre and War Memorial Gym are also found in the area.

The U Boulevard Area Neighbourhood Plan was adopted in 2004 and amended in 2015 along with the U Boulevard Area Design Guidelines, which are currently undergoing further revisions as the area evolves in response to the need for more academic and student facilities.

 

 

What's Happening Now?

There are a number of projects underway in the area, each at a different stage of implementation (see timeline below). These new projects will support the academic mission, provide housing for students, and support building community for students, faculty and staff by enhancing social, recreational and outdoor spaces in the campus core. Each of these projects have been shaped with input from the campus community.

Learn more about these projects below:

  • Wesbrook Mall Upgrades: The first phase of construction was completed in Fall 2019.
  • Pacific Residences: Received Board 3 approval on September 24, 2019, and is currently under construction.
  • Brock Commons Phase 2: Received Board 2 approval on September 24, 2019.
  • Gateway Building: Received Board 1 approval on December 5th, 2019, with design and construction to follow.
  • Arts Student Centre: Construction commences in June 2020.

U Boulevard Area Timeline

2004
U Boulevard Neighbourhood Plan adopted
2004

U Boulevard Neighbourhood Plan adopted

Approved by the Board of Governors

2010
Vancouver Campus Plan adopted
2010

Vancouver Campus Plan adopted

Vancouver Campus Plan adopted to replace the OCP

2010
U Boulevard Area Design Guidelines adopted
2010

U Boulevard Area Design Guidelines adopted

University Boulevard Area Design Guidelines adopted

2011
University Square completed
2011

University Square completed

Construction of University Square completed

2015
Nest and Alumni Centre completed
2015

Nest and Alumni Centre completed

Construction of the AMS Student Nest and Alumni Centre completed

2015
2015 Public consultation
2015

2015 Public consultation

2015 public consultation completed

2015
Neighbourhood Plan and Design Guidelines amended
2015

Neighbourhood Plan and Design Guidelines amended

Approved by the Board of Governors

2017
Tallwood House completed
2017

Tallwood House completed

Construction of Tallwood House (Brock Commons Phase 1) completed

Spring 2018
2018 Public Consultation Phase 1
Spring 2018

2018 Public Consultation Phase 1

Phase 1 of public consultation for the 2018 Update completed

Fall 2018
2018 Public Consultation Phase 2
Fall 2018

2018 Public Consultation Phase 2

Phase 2 of public consultation for the 2018 Update completed

Summer 2019
Exchange Residence and Bus Exchange completed
Summer 2019

Exchange Residence and Bus Exchange completed

Construction of Exchange Residence and Bus Exchange completed

December 2019
Gateway South in approval process
December 2019

Gateway South in approval process

Gateway South site received UBC Board of Governors 1 approval 

Winter 2019/2020
MacInnes Field expected completion
Winter 2019/2020

MacInnes Field expected completion

MacInnes Field and Public Realm upgrades expected to be completed

2021
Arts Student Centre expected completion
2021

Arts Student Centre expected completion

Construction of the Arts Student Centre expected to be completed

Aug 2021-Jan 2022
Pacific Residences expected completion
Aug 2021-Jan 2022

Pacific Residences expected completion

Construction of Pacific Residences expected to be completed

2022
Brock Commons Phase 2 expected completion
2022

Brock Commons Phase 2 expected completion

Construction of Brock Commons Phase 2 expected to be completed