Construction to begin on Markham Centre Campus
Construction will soon be underway on a $275-million facility for York University in Markham.
Premier Doug Ford and a host of cabinet ministers announced on July 24 that construction work on the 400,000-square foot building would begin later this week.
The expansion is the first project proceeding under the government's updated Major Capacity Expansion Policy Framework. The framework encourages the responsible development of new postsecondary campuses, ensuring minimal cost to the taxpayer, a high-quality education that aligns with labour market needs, and expansion plans that align with community planning and industry partnerships.
"The time has come for a new, innovative approach to financing college and university expansions. Instead of the province writing multi-million-dollar cheques, we have developed a system that encourages the development of new campuses with a much smaller cost to the taxpayer," said Premier Ford. "The new Markham Centre Campus is a model of responsible expansion which will offer local students access to a world-class education and prepare them for the jobs of the future."
Designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects, the new building will be located on a five-acre site just north of Highway 407 and west of Kennedy Road, near the Pan Am Centre. Its form consists of a five-storey podium with five-storey tower above. Bronze-anodized aluminum cladding and fritted bird-friendly glazing are interspersed within a syncopated window pattern. Cantilevers and curves animate the building form and create fluid, interactive spaces supporting teaching and research within a vertical campus.
“The design of this highly accessible building defines a collegial academic community within a series of interconnected, multi-storey spaces of gathering and interaction,” said Donald Schmitt, principal, Diamond Schmitt.
The building will be built by Stuart Olsen Inc., and is expected to accommodate 4,200 students. Construction will generate more than $350 million in immediate economic benefits and create over 2,000 jobs.
"Our province's postsecondary institutions play a fundamental role in Ontario's economy and will be key players in Ontario's economic recovery," said Minister of Colleges and Universities Ross Romano. "By supporting self-funded campus expansions like the one by York University, we are encouraging independence and accountability, expanding choice and opportunities for our students, and protecting taxpayers.”
The Markham Centre Campus is expected to open in Fall 2023 and will provide students in York Region greater access to university programs in the high-demand fields of technology, commerce, data science and entrepreneurship at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The province is working towards the goal of graduating over 70,000 students a year from science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs by 2025.
“The Markham Centre Campus will offer professionally relevant degree programs and micro-credentials with a strong focus on digital technologies, entrepreneurship and experiential education in high demand areas such as business and entrepreneurship, data analytics, new media and communications,” said York University president and vice-chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton.