70,000 sq. ft. university campus to open at Oakridge Park mall next month | Daily Hive

Concept of Fairleigh Dickinson University’s FDU Vancouver campus at Oakridge Park. (Perkins&Will/FDU)

Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) is preparing to welcome students to a significantly larger Vancouver campus within the newly opened Oakridge Park mixed-use development anchored by the indoor mall.

The private, not-for-profit university, based in New Jersey, will open its new 70,000 sq. ft. campus next month for the start of the Fall 2026 term, replacing and consolidating its two previous locations in Downtown Vancouver.

FDU notes that the move will provide students with a more modern and unified learning environment, along with expanded services and new academic programming.

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The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in areas including business, health, hospitality, humanities, and information technology. Students attending its Vancouver campus can also pursue degrees accredited in both Canada and the United States while remaining in Canada.

The interior of the new Vancouver campus was designed in collaboration with property owner and mall operator QuadReal Property Group, with the aim of creating a welcoming and inclusive space for students. The space — featuring dozens of classrooms, computer labs, semi-wet science labs, and communal areas — was designed by the Vancouver office of architectural firm Perkins&Will.

Fairleigh Dickinson University FDU Vancouver Oakridge Park

Concept of Fairleigh Dickinson University’s FDU Vancouver campus at Oakridge Park. (Perkins&Will/FDU)

fairleigh dickinson university fdu oakridge vancouver

Concept of Fairleigh Dickinson University’s FDU Vancouver campus at Oakridge Park. (Perkins&Will/FDU)

“Fairleigh Dickinson University’s decision to expand its Vancouver presence at Oakridge Park is a significant milestone, not just for the university, but for the entire Oakridge community,” said Chrystal Burns, executive vice-president of Canadian retail experience at QuadReal Property Group, in a statement on Monday.

“This partnership exemplifies our ability to deliver bespoke, world-class spaces that elevate both academic and student experiences. By fostering a forward-thinking, inclusive campus environment, we are proud to play a key role in FDU’s growth and continued success in shaping the next generation of leaders.”

FDU president Michael Avaltroni said the relocation will also allow the university to build stronger relationships with businesses and organizations across British Columbia.

“Expanding to Oakridge Park is a defining moment for FDU Vancouver,” said Avaltroni.

“This campus will deepen our engagement with local B.C. businesses, expand experiential learning opportunities, and create a space where innovation, culture, and academic excellence converge for the benefit of students and the broader community. We see FDU’s future reflected in the lives of our students and graduates, who are empowered to make a meaningful impact in their communities and industries.”

Concept of Fairleigh Dickinson University’s FDU Vancouver campus at Oakridge Park. (Perkins&Will/FDU)

FDU’s major presence is expected to help provide the mall with additional steady foot traffic and activity. It will be located near the northwest corner of the indoor mall complex, within an upper level next to the expansive outdoor public park on the rooftop of the mall.

Oakridge Park mall and its Time Out Market food hall first opened in late May 2026.

The Safeway grocery store and the new and expanded entrance into SkyTrain’s Oakridge-41st Avenue Station — including the additional underground station entrance — are expected to open later this summer.

Additional retailers, including businesses that will fill in the space previously set aside for the return of the Hudson’s Bay Company, and the residential units under the first phase of the expansive mixed-use redevelopment are also set to be fully ready in 2027. This first phase also includes 700,000 sq. ft. of office space within the base levels of the residential towers.

Moreover, the City of Vancouver’s new 100,000 sq. ft. Oakridge civic centre — attached to a new City-owned social housing tower at the northwest corner of the overall Oakridge Park property — with new community, recreational, and cultural spaces, including a new Vancouver Public Library branch, will open sometime next year.

Opening of a portion of the rooftop public park at Oakridge Park mall on May 28, 2026. (Kenneth Chan)

Opening of a portion of the rooftop public park at Oakridge Park mall on May 28, 2026. (Kenneth Chan)

Opening of a portion of the rooftop public park at Oakridge Park mall on May 28, 2026. (Kenneth Chan)

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