Pacific Residence Construction

Pacific Residence is UBC’s latest residence project, which will help us meet the significant demand for on-campus student housing at UBC’s Vancouver campus.

In addition to 1,000 new beds for students, Pacific (set to open in 2021) will include new academic and social spaces to support community and connectivity outside of the classroom. This residence will further enhance the vibrance and vitality of this northeast area of campus, which—with the recent completion of the AMS Nest, UBC Life Building, Aquatic Centre, bus exchange, and Exchange Residence—is fast becoming a dynamic urban hub.

Applying to live in Gage or Exchange?

If you’re planning to add Gage or Exchange to your preferences in your residence application, you should know that residents of these areas will likely be impacted by this construction project. We want you to make an informed decision when you apply.

Project Details

Location

The construction site is located on the south side of Walter Gage residence (along Student Union Boulevard), on the east side of Walter Gage residence (along Wesbrook Mall), and on the northeast corner of Wesbrook Mall and Walter Gage Road.

Construction Timeline

Construction began October 2019
Construction is expected to be complete in 2021

Ongoing schedule

UBC’s standard, approved hours of work for construction are Monday–Friday, 7:30 am–5 pm and Saturday, 9 am–5 pm.

Construction will typically occur during UBC’s standard approved hours of work: Monday–Friday, 7:30 am–5 pm and Saturday, 9 am–5 pm
Some workers will arrive on site well before the construction start time (7:30 am/9 am) to start getting ready for their day

*Construction hours may be extended – for example, extended to Sundays – to ensure the project is completed on time.

Noise & disruptions for Gage/Exchange residents

Residents at Walter Gage and Exchange residences should expect to hear noise from heavy equipment, industrial traffic and construction – and beginning in late-2020, additional noise as the concrete plaza at the south entrance to the Walter Gage Commonsblock is excavated to prepare for a redesigned courtyard.

There are also pedestrian and vehicle traffic disruptions in the area, along with an increased level of dust. Some residents will be less affected, if their units do not face directly onto an area under construction.

As you are likely aware, construction at UBC is an everyday activity, and safe, prudent construction practices are always followed. Nevertheless, while UBC can reduce the impact to residents and the campus community, it cannot be avoided altogether.

Questions?

Are you offering a discount?
No. While Gage and Exchange are in close proximity to the Pacific Residence project, construction at UBC is an everyday occurrence that we should all be prepared for and that the UBC community will ultimately benefit from.
What if I don't want to live near a construction site?
If you do not want to live near the Pacific Residence construction site, we recommend that you do not indicate Gage or Exchange as preferences in your application.
How noisy will my room be?
While construction noise will be kept within reasonable limits, every person responds to noise and disruption differently. With that in mind, we cannot anticipate how noisy your particular room will be or how the construction noise will affect you.
Will any units in Gage or Exchange not be affected?
Any resident of Gage or Exchange might experience some noise disruptions in their unit or another part of their residence area.
What if I move into Gage or Exchange and the disruptions are worse than I expected?

If you choose to move into Gage or Exchange, but you find the impact of noise to be more than you bargained for, you still have a couple of options:

  • First, speak to your RLM for strategies to minimize the impact of noise disruptions
  • Ultimately, if you would prefer to live elsewhere, you can apply for a room transfer.

Have additional questions? Email information@housing.ubc.ca.