UBC to build micro apartments to solve student housing issue

UBC has proposed to build micro apartments to add more affordable options for student housing.

The Gage South Student Residence will have 630 units in different configurations, but the 145 square foot micro apartments will be the first of their kind on campus.

The 43 micro units will be fully equipped with a kitchen, bed and full bathroom. They’ll cost between $670-$690 a month.

[am2_see_also]

UBC’s Managing Director of Student Housing Andrew Parr says this is a pilot project to see how little space students are willing to live in if it means cheaper rent.

“The feedback is mixed. Some students say ‘yeah, if I could live in a place like that for $700 a month, that sounds pretty good’, while other students say ‘that’s crazy, why would I want to live in a closet like that,'” Parr tells Vancity Buzz.

He says UBC plans to do much more comprehensive market research to see just how viable this project will be.

“We’re going to build a prototype of the unit and place it in a high traffic area on campus and let students walk through it and touch it and feel it and then give us their feedback, and then we’ll take it forward from there.”

Parr adds they’re exploring creative space solutions, from Murphy beds, to fold down desks.

The building will have all the amenities that other student apartments have, including lobby, front desk, house lounge, meeting/study areas, music practice rooms, and laundry.

The units won’t be available for rent until 2019 and will be located over top of a new bus exchange.

To see an example of a micro apartment, watch the video below:

[youtube id=”vuLJLJZ69zI”]