Courtyard Residence expands student housing spaces at SFU’s Burnaby campus

Student living is reaching new heights at Simon Fraser University (SFU) with the opening of the new Courtyard Residence at Burnaby campus.

Photos and b-roll: http://at.sfu.ca/QxEFZm

The striking two-building residence provides students with breathtaking views from Burnaby Mountain, stunning outdoor areas, including a centrally-located exterior courtyard, swings, ping pong tables and open-air gathering spaces. It also features all the comforts and amenities required to meet student needs, including modern rooms, private shared washrooms, a house lounge and kitchen, 24/7 front desk support, a laundry room and multi-functional spaces.

The Courtyard residence primarily features single occupancy rooms intended for first-year students. It also houses the new main administration office of SFU Residence and Housing.

The new residence building provides 369 student rooms and will serve as the new home for The Simon – SFU’s short-term accommodations for campus visitors. The 14 former short-term accommodation suites will be converted to student housing, meaning that SFU Burnaby campus will be home for a total of 383 additional students in the upcoming fall term.

“Affordable on-campus housing is a win-win for everyone because it decreases pressure on the rental housing market while enriching the university experience of our students,” says SFU President Joy Johnson. “We are excited to welcome nearly 400 additional students to Burnaby campus with the completion of this building—and we look forward to continuing our expansion of campus housing in the years to come.” 

The building is designed to reflect local Indigenous culture in the region, including the Musqueam, Squamish, Kwikwetlem and Tsleil Waututh Nations. It further features the Madge Hogarth Sensory Garden, in recognition that the new residence is built on the former site of SFU’s very first residence – the Madge Hogarth House – which opened in 1965. The building’s rich history continues to be celebrated within the university community with a celebratory event planned for later this summer in honour of the lasting legacy of Madge Hogarth at SFU.

The opening of Courtyard Residence marks the completion of Phase 2 of SFU’s five-phase Residence and Housing Masterplan, which will see housing options at Burnaby campus continue to expand to accommodate a total of 3,250 students – about 10 per cent of the student population – by 2035.

“There are many advantages to living on campus, so seeing more rooms open for students makes me delighted. It addresses the demand from students who want the opportunity to live on residence, helps with affordability, provides access to education and amenities and is helping to build more community on campus,” said Emmanuel Adegboyega, undergraduate student and president of the Residence Hall Association, who is also looking forward to moving into the new residence in the fall. “Having the Courtyard Residence open is very important to meeting those needs. And when you look at the architecture, rooms and views, it’s definitely one of the best buildings we have on Burnaby campus.”

The opening brings the current number of on-campus student beds on Burnaby campus to more than 2,450. The B.C. government provided $73 million towards the $113 million-dollar project, which also included a significant dining expansion on campus. 

“Secure, stable and affordable housing is essential for students to be successful at their studies, while also reducing demand on the local rental housing market,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “In 2018 we committed to building 8,000 student beds in 10 years, and we have already built more than 7,700 new beds. With additional Budget 2023 investments, we are well on our way to build more than 12,000 beds throughout the province to help students focus on their classes and lay the foundation for their future.”

For more information about the Courtyard Residence and other housing options at SFU, visit the Residence and Housing website. 

CONTACT

MATT KIELTYKA, SFU Communications & Marketing 
236.880.2187 | matt_kieltyka@sfu.ca

Simon Fraser University 
Communications & Marketing | SFU Media Experts Directory 
778.782.3210

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As Canada’s engaged university, SFU works with communities, organizations and partners to create, share and embrace knowledge that improves life and generates real change. We deliver a world-class education with lifelong value that shapes change-makers, visionaries and problem-solvers. We connect research and innovation to entrepreneurship and industry to deliver sustainable, relevant solutions to today’s problems. With campuses in British Columbia’s three largest cities—Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey—SFU has eight faculties that deliver 364 undergraduate degree programs and 149 graduate degree programs to more than 37,000 students. The university now boasts more than 180,000 alumni residing in 145+ countries.