New renderings of Capilano University's first on-campus student housing building
There are new renderings and revised details for Capilano University’s plan to construct its first on-campus, university-operated student housing building.
The university is planning to build a six-storey building near the southwest corner of the intersection of Monashee Drive and Tantalus Road — on the easternmost parcel of an existing ground-level parking lot, near Bosa Centre for Film and Animation.
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HDR Architecture Associates’ application in March 2020 to the District of North Vancouver, on behalf of the university, initially proposed 180 rooms for 302 beds, but this has since been revised to 207 rooms for 362 beds.
August 2020 site plan of 2055 Purcell Way at Capilano University in North Vancouver District. The first building is depicted on the right, while a second phase is shown on the left on the surface parking lot that will be temporarily retained. (HDR Architecture Associates)
Site of 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver. (Google Maps)
The unit mix of the revised plan is 154 double-occupancy dormitory rooms, 52 single-occupancy dormitory rooms, and a single two-bedroom suite for a resident advisor.
As most of the units will not have private kitchens and washrooms, shared washroom and living/study areas will be included on each of the upper five levels. Communal laundry facilities and multi-purpose rooms are located on the ground level.
Below-market monthly rental rates will be about $800 for a double-occupancy dorm room and $1,000 for a single-occupancy dorm room. All student residents will be required to have a mandatory meal plan of approximately $2,600 per academic term of four months.
The ground level of this building includes a large dining hall with a capacity to accommodate about 500 students for not only the residents of this student housing building, but also the potential future expansion phases of the student housing complex on the western parcel of the parking lot. The glass-enclosed dining hall is its own wing with a green roof.
August 2020 artistic rendering of 2055 Purcell Way at Capilano University in North Vancouver District. (HDR Architecture Associates)
August 2020 artistic rendering of 2055 Purcell Way at Capilano University in North Vancouver District. (HDR Architecture Associates)
Approximately 190 surface vehicle parking stalls — half of the site’s parking capacity — will be removed to accommodate this first building of the complex. No underground parking is proposed, but there will be 66 bike parking spaces, and end-of-trip facilities such as lockers and change rooms.
As more on-campus student housing options are provided, less on-campus parking will be required. The university has 12,600 student and faculty, and there is an immense demand for on-campus housing.
The post-secondary institution will cover about 30% of the construction costs, with the remainder expected to be covered by the provincial government through its funding initiative to catalyze new student housing across BC.
August 2020 artistic rendering of 2055 Purcell Way at Capilano University in North Vancouver District. (HDR Architecture Associates)
August 2020 site plan of 2055 Purcell Way at Capilano University in North Vancouver District. (HDR Architecture Associates)
Capilano University is aiming for an opening date of Summer 2020, which intentionally coincides with the expiration date of the post-secondary institution’s lease agreement with Darwin Properties for 2420 Dollarton Highway.
In 2017, the university converted the former international boarding school buildings into a student housing complex with 250 beds and a dining hall. The off-campus student housing complex is a 10-minute drive or 15-minute bus ride — including one transfer at Phibbs Exchange — from campus. Over the longer term, the property will be redeveloped as part of a larger project.
Last year, Darwin Properties also submitted a separate application for a mixed-use residential and commercial complex at 1310 Monashee Drive, immediately east of the Bosa Centre. It calls for two six-storey buildings with 346 market rental homes dedicated to the students, faculty, and staff of the university, as well as 5,564 sq. ft. of food service space and 3,778 sq. ft. of artist space. This private development includes underground levels for 168 vehicle parking stalls and 692 bike parking spaces.
Artistic rendering of 1310 Monashee Drive, North Vancouver. (Darwin Properties)
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