32-storey student residence at York University Markham campus 'critical piece' of puzzle

Rockport Unionville Inc. in discussions with university to build residence on west side of Bill Crothers Drive

Yorkregion.com
April 28, 2021
Heidi Riedner

A 32-storey student residence for York University’s Markham campus could open its doors in 2024, if all goes according to plan.

A preliminary report regarding Rockport Unionville Inc.’s proposal, which was tabled at a council committee meeting April 6, was green lit by elected officials ahead of staff recommendations heading to council for approval.

“I think we do want to move this forward as expeditiously as possible,” said Ward 3 Coun. Reid McAlpine.

“This is a critical piece of the whole puzzle for the York University campus in Markham. Student housing obviously is essential,” he added.

Rockport is in discussions with the university to build the residence on the west side of Bill Crothers Drive, north of Enterprise Boulevard in Markham Centre.

While not at liberty to disclose full details at this point, Rockport's Jack Winberg said York University is still determined to move forward and have a facility to accommodate first-year students and their dormitory requirements for August 2024.

The plan calls for a seven-storey podium and 25-storey tower that will include 264 student suites consisting of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units.

Programming space, including business offices and food services, are also part of the proposal, which includes 50 parking spaces in two levels of above-ground parking and 520 bicycle parking spaces located below grade and on the ground floor.

The application, with some tweaks in terms of numbers, can accommodate what the university is looking for, said Winberg, adding those will be sorted out moving forward.

In the event York University does not award the student housing project to Rockport, the developer intends to proceed with a residential development on the property.

But that would require revisions to the applications and supporting materials before proceeding.

"With the residential proposal, in the event we do not succeed, and believe me it is my determination to succeed, I recognize that parking will govern the application and there will be substantially less units," said Winberg. "You won't have as big a building, but at least you'll have a building and the parking will dictate the number of units."

While the building has been designed to accommodate both uses, it will be a smaller building if apartments or condos go up instead of student housing, he added.

York University plans to open the doors to its $275.4-million, 10-storey Markham campus to 4,200 students in the fall of 2023.