Architectural rendering of Lower Mall Precinct buildings (intersection of University Boulevard and Lower Mall). From left to right: buildings 2, 1 and 6.
The Lower Mall Precinct (LMP) project will address the growing demand for student housing by building more than 1,500 graduate student focused beds (1,325 new and 175 replacement).
This new residence will also support the wider campus community through the incorporation of a child care and dining hall for the UBC community, plus numerous amenities and social spaces for residents.
It will also serve as the new home for St. John’s College (SJC) Fellows and will breathe new life into UBC’s Old Fire Hall, which will be relocated to the site and renovated as a hub for residents.
Applying to live nearby?
If you’re planning to add Marine Drive or Ponderosa Commons to your preferences in your residence application—or you’re applying for first year residence—we want you to make an informed decision when you apply.
Please be aware that some residents at Marine Drive, Ponderosa Commons and Place Vanier, whose rooms/units are located closest to the LMP site, will experience some impacts from construction activity and noise associated with this construction project.
Project Details
Location
The project site is located between University Boulevard, Lower Mall, SW Marine Drive and the Marine Drive residence area.
Project timeline: 2026 to 2029
January to mid-May 2026: site servicing and road work
During this period, to prepare the project site for decommissioning and construction, some surveying and assessment work will take place, along with road work next to the site.
- Road work and underground infrastructure upgrades on University Boulevard, between NW Marine Drive and Lower Mall.
- Road work and underground infrastructure upgrades on Lower Mall, alongside the project site.
- The construction of South Street, from NW Marine Drive to Lower Mall, in the area between Marine Drive Building 2 and the project site.
- Underground infrastructure work along NW Marine Drive, west of University Boulevard.
Ongoing road closure: University Boulevard between NW Marine Drive and Lower Mall
Starting in spring 2026, University Boulevard—between NW Marine Drive and Lower Mall will be closed to traffic for the duration of the project. The sidewalk on the north side of University Boulevard (i.e. closest to Place Vanier) will remain accessible to pedestrians.
Starting mid-May 2026: decommissioning and construction
Mid-May 2026: St. John’s College decommissioning begins, including the setup of on-site construction offices.
September 2026: Construction begins.
2028: Phase 1 buildings open. 🎉 Buildings 4, 5 and 6, which include studio and shared units (with kitchens), a sky lounge—a top floor student lounge/study space—and the child care facility.
2029: Phase 2 buildings open. 🎉 Buildings 1, 2 and 3, along with the relocation/renovation of the
Old Fire Hall. These buildings include a sky lounge—a top floor student lounge/study space—the dining hall, SJC spaces, and studio and shared units (with kitchens). There will also be 400 single rooms (with private bath, without kitchens), a new unit type which will house students on a required meal plan.
Ongoing/daily schedule
Construction typically occurs during UBC’s standard approved hours of work: Monday–Friday, 7:30 am–7 pm, and Saturday, 9 am–5 pm.
Some workers will arrive on-site before the construction start time to begin getting ready for their day.
Construction hours may be extended (e.g., earlier start time; extended to Sundays) to ensure the project is completed on time.
Noise and disruptions for nearby residents
As you are likely aware, construction at UBC is an everyday activity, and safe, prudent construction practices are followed. Nevertheless, while UBC can reduce the impact to residents and the campus community, it cannot be avoided altogether.
Residents of Marine Drive, Ponderosa Commons and some residents at Place Vanier should expect to hear noise from heavy equipment, industrial traffic and construction. There will also be pedestrian and vehicle traffic disruptions in the area, along with an increased level of dust.
Residents who are closest to and face directly toward the project site will be most affected, while those who are further away and/or do not face the project site will be less affected.
For example:
- Residents in Marine Drive Building 6 who face south, may not experience much impact from the project.
- Residents in Ponderosa Commons (Cedar House) who face north may not experience much impact from the project.
- Place Vanier residents who are assigned to a building north of the commonsblock may not experience any impact from the project at their residence building.
Questions?
Are you offering a discount?
No. 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 Lower Mall Precinct Project construction site, we recommend the following:
- Current Marine Drive, Ponderosa Commons or Place Vanier residents: you are welcome to apply for a room switch or transfer.
- If you are on the housing waitlist and indicated Marine Drive or Ponderosa Commons as preferences: we recommend that you remove these residences from your list of preferences.
- Year Round Residence applicants: we recommend that you do not indicate Marine Drive or Ponderosa Commons as a preference in your application.
- First Year Winter Session applicants: eligible first year applicants receive assignments for either Orchard Commons, Place Vanier, Ritsumeikan-UBC House, Totem Park or Walter Gage and cannot opt out of living at Place Vanier specifically. However, the majority of rooms/buildings at Place Vanier will only experience very limited impacts from this construction project. Once you receive your assignment in early to mid-August, if you are assigned to a building nearest to the construction project, you are welcome to find another resident to switch rooms with.
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.
Where can I get earplugs?
If desired, you can pick up free earplugs from your residence front desk.
Will any units not be affected?
Any resident of Marine Drive, Ponderosa Commons or Place Vanier might experience some noise disruptions in their room/unit, another part of their residence area or while in the vicinity of the project. However, as noted above, rooms/units that are at the greatest distance from the project and/or face away from the project will experience the lowest impacts.
How can residents stay informed about the project, including updates and timelines?
Residents can check this web page for any updates, progress and timelines. In addition to this page, Student Housing will be sending periodic email updates/notices at key project milestones or updates—or ahead of work that will cause more significant disturbances.
What if I move into Marine Drive, Ponderosa Commons or Place Vanier and the disruptions are worse than I expected?
If you move into one of these residences, but you find the impact to be greater than you anticipated, you might consider applying for a room switch or transfer.
Additional questions?
If you have additional questions, please email information@housing.ubc.ca.