McMaster’s goal to provide more residence space for first–year students is moving closer to reality thanks to a plan to build a new residence building on land near the University.

A new partnership would see up to 800 beds in a new residence building on a stretch of land facing Main Street between Forsyth and Dalewood , backing onto Traymore.   Many of the homes currently on Traymore have been bought by a developer and the University has an agreement to buy one grouping of the properties to expand the parcel of land it already owns on Main Street.   McMaster would then work with the residence development firm Knightstone to develop plans to build the residence building.

“The project will create an outstanding residence for students,” said provost, David Wilkinson.   “The building will be beautifully designed and there has been early consultation with neighbours to make sure their concerns are being addressed.”

The building plan calls for multi-storied structure on Main Street West which then is tiered back down towards Traymore creating interesting architectural elements, eliminating any shadows on area homes and reducing the impact on neighbours across the street.

“So many students want to attend McMaster but we haven’t had enough space to meet the demand and that can be a disadvantage,” said Wilkinson.  “The Main Street plan combined with the approximately 500 residence spaces planned for the new on campus Living and Learning Centre, which will begin construction in the next few weeks, will provide us with the spaces we need.”

The plan for the Main Street residence is now moving to the approval stages with the City of Hamilton.  Building intensification on Main Street is a key component of the City’s development plans for west Hamilton.

While the building will be developed in partnership with Knightstone, the residence itself will be run by the University as part of its residence system.