University Canada West is expanding into one of the highest profile developments in Vancouver’s recent history.
UCW is set to move into Vancouver House, the globally recognized project designed by architect Bjarke Ingels of BIG in 2020.
Awarded the World Architecture Festival’s Future Building of the Year in 2015, Vancouver House has since captured the world’s attention, being named as one of CNN’s “most anticipated buildings set to shape the world“. Rising from the foot of the Granville Street Bridge the project’s unique twisting tower has created an entirely new typology and a new landmark on Vancouver’s skyline.
“This is an extremely important announcement for the evolution of University Canada West,” said UCW President Brock Dykeman. “We’ve secured a prime downtown location in one of the world’s most livable cities. We’re thrilled to be expanding into a project that has already made such an incredible impression and we look forward to being a part of its future as it helps shape an entire community.”
Vancouver House is the catalyst for the complete reimagining of the surrounding neighbourhood, to create a new community called the Beach District.
UCW Vancouver House will be one of the anchors of this new community, comprising over 90,000 sq. ft. of space in two of the podium buildings, which are currently under construction. Downtown, between the West End and Yaletown, steps from Sunset Beach, English Bay and Vancouver’s 28 kilometre Seawall, the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path, UCW Vancouver House Campus will feature ocean views, greenspace and all of Vancouver’s urban amenities.
The Beach District will also include tenants Fresh Street Market and London Drugs, as well as a major public art installation by renowned artist Rodney Graham, Spinning Chandelier. The piece set to complete this fall, will be suspended beneath the Granville Street Bridge, rising slowly throughout the day and spinning downwards at a set time each night, creating a draw for visitors and residents alike.
“We know that UCW Vancouver House will be a destination campus,” said Brock. “With world-class architecture and amazing amenities, students from Vancouver, the rest of Canada and from all over the world will want to study here.”
UCW Vancouver House will be able to accommodate more than 3,400 students, and the university will continue to operate at the West Pender Campus, as University Canada West continues to expand.
The first term for students in the new facility is expected to be July 2020. An architectural model of the campus is currently on display in the UCW lobby at 626 West Pender.
WRITTEN BY RAFAEL RAMIREZ
