University Canada West (UCW) is expanding its footprint in downtown Vancouver by occupying approximately 89,000 sq ft of office space within the newly completed B6 office tower at 1090 West Pender Street. Scheduled to open this summer, UCW’s campus will span five levels between floors three and seven, accommodating an estimated 2,200 students and 150 faculty and staff members. This move is anticipated to bring a positive economic impact to local businesses in the downtown core, according to Jane Talbot, President and CEO of Downtown Van.
UCW’s space within B6 is a combination of leasing from building owner BentallGreenOak and sub-leasing from Microsoft, which initially secured about 400,000 sq ft across 20 levels. WeWork, originally slated as a major tenant, withdrew its commitment, leading to UCW’s expansion.
The new B6 campus will feature classrooms, an innovation lab, student lounges, a library, supporting offices, and faculty spaces. Access to outdoor patios on the rooftop and base podium will enhance the student experience. This expansion replaces UCW’s current location at The London Building, maintaining its presence as a two-campus institution.
UCW’s Vancouver House campus, which opened in October 2020, complements its downtown presence. With a total enrollment of over 14,000 students from 110 countries, UCW’s expansion aligns with downtown Vancouver’s evolving office landscape.
B6’s completion marks the conclusion of downtown Vancouver’s office building boom, with a lease vacancy rate of 11% as of September 2023, representing a drop from the previous quarter. Despite economic conditions and workplace changes post-pandemic, downtown Vancouver maintains one of the lowest vacancy rates for major city centers in North America.
