LONDON — The University of Western Ontario’s ambitious development project at 1151 and 1163 Richmond Street has received official approval from the council as of June 25, 2024.
This significant project, led by MHBC Planning, is set to transform the eastern part of the main Western campus into a state-of-the-art student residence.
The approved plans will replace the current building, which once housed the Bank of Montreal and now serves as the Child and Youth Development Clinic, with a modern eight-storey residence.
This new facility will provide 259 residential suites, accommodating up to 772 students.
Spanning approximately 1.4 hectares at the northeast corner of Richmond Street and University Drive, the project will feature:
● A two-storey dining area facing Richmond Street.
● The main entrance is oriented towards University Drive.
● Amenities such as a landscaped courtyard and an outdoor volleyball sand court.
Maintaining accessibility is a key aspect of the project. Existing bus stops along Richmond Street and University Drive will remain, and pedestrian access will be available from both streets.
The historic University Gates at the entrance to University Drive will also be preserved.
The development will have a total floor area of 28,727 square metres and reach a maximum height of 27 metres.
Parking for residents will be facilitated across the campus, with the nearest lot located about 100 meters from the site, behind Elgin Hall Residence.
The project also includes four parking spaces and a loading area at the northern end for employees and deliveries.
For cyclists, there will be 65 parking spaces (28 outdoor and 37 indoor), exceeding the required 60 spaces.
The council’s approval also includes a Zoning By-law Amendment, allowing the site to transition from the current RF and RF(7) Zones to a new RF Special Provision (RF(_)) Zone.
This change accommodates specific design and site requirements, such as adjusted setbacks and building height limits.
Examples of the approved zoning provisions include but are not limited to:
● Front Yard Setback: For eight-storey elements: Reduced from 13.4 metres to 14.7 metres before road widening and 7.5 metres after.
● Exterior Side Yard Setback: For 7-8 storey elements: Reduced from 13.4 metres to 6.4 metres.
● Maximum Height: The approved height is 26.8 metres, surpassing the maximum required height of 8.0 metres for the RF(7) Zone.
A special provision has also been approved for failing to meet the minimum height requirements for the RF Zone of 40 metres.
With council’s approval, this development promises to significantly enhance the university’s housing capacity and provide improved amenities, benefiting both students and staff.
The University of Western Ontario’s plan to develop a new eight-storey student residence at 1151 and 1163 Richmond Street has been approved by the council on June 25, 2024.
This project aims to boost the university’s infrastructure and meet growing student accommodation needs.
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