808 Royal

To create an opportunity for students to live where they learn, to provide needed housing infrastructure aligned with the growth of the institution and to support student success. This project is part of a major capital investment from the provincial government in student housing across the province. For more information on this initiative by the Government of British Columbia, check out the Homes for People Action Plan.

This new 20-story building includes a combined academic space and 368 student beds. Student Housing room styles include one- and two-bed traditional style student housing rooms and four-bed apartment style units. Other amenities include study and leisure spaces, multi-purpose rooms, laundry facilities, a marketplace, shared kitchens and a rooftop garden. The building includes accessible units along with design details incorporating Universal Design principles throughout. In addition, the College is pursuing Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification Gold Level.

Sample Room Layouts:
Finalized images will be shared closer to project completion. 

The building will meet BC Energy and Zero Carbon Step Code 4 certification, the highest step in the code for commercial buildings, and will also target Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification.

Construction began in late 2023, which the College celebrated with a construction start ceremony in early 2024. Construction is anticipated to be completed in late 2027, with opening timelines to be confirmed as the project progresses.

We are currently developing an equitable housing assignment protocol. As demand is expected to exceed supply, several factors are under consideration, including domestic and international student status, and priority for first-year students, Indigenous students and students with disabilities.

Room rates are expected to be in line with student housing at comparable post-secondary institutions. Fees will include utilities, furniture, internet and security. Exact room rates will be finalized closer to the building's completion, with affordability being a key consideration.

Douglas College is developing policies, procedures and organizational plans to create a safe, inclusive and supportive student housing community. Information in this FAQ will be updated as decisions are finalized and details become available.

Introduces 368 targeted student beds to the local community.

Douglas College has grown steadily and significantly over the years, pushing campus facilities beyond capacity, with current capacity at the New Westminster campus at 142%.

The project is designed to address climate change by using innovative construction methods to reduce carbon footprint. The building will be heated and cooled without fossil fuels, and will have zero carbon status.

The building has been designed to minimize impact on the surrounding community including consideration for shadowing, maintaining views and protecting the privacy of neighbours, while tying into the feeling and ambiance of downtown New Westminster.

Just steps away from the New Westminster SkyTrain station, the building also connects to the new 1.2-kilometre Agnes Greenway, to support walking, wheeling, and cycling in the city. The new plaza on the corner of Agnes and Eighth Streets is perfectly located as a resting point for the high number of people walking up the slope along Eighth Street towards Royal Avenue.

808 Royal will provide 11 storeys of academic space including classrooms, student study space, labs and offices. It will house the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.