Neighbourhoods

At UVic, our residences are grouped into neighbourhoods. Each neighbourhood has its own Community Leaders (CLs) and its own activities and events. In most neighbourhoods there are several residence buildings, each with its own character.

If you're looking for a residence that is tailored to your academic or personal interests, see our living learning communities (LLCs).

Laundry facilities are available throughout residence.

Lansdowne

The Lansdowne neighbourhood consists of six small, closely connected concrete buildings surrounding a central courtyard of planters, pavement and trees. These are the smallest residence buildings at UVic, in a neighbourhood known to be cozy and close-knit. Each building has designated social and study lounges and community bathrooms, with small single-gender floors. This neighbourhood is also home to the HUB, a series of multi-purpose spaces that are used for residence programs and events. These buildings have a unique mid-century style. Recent upgrades include new lighting fixtures in 2016 and all new windows in 2012. There are no elevators in these three-storey buildings.

Available to: First-year students
There are a limited number of apartments in Lansdowne, typically reserved for graduate students.

Lansdowne includes the following buildings:

Alice Ravenhill (RA)
Nancy Hodges (HO)
Elma Sanderson (SA)
John Helmcken (HE)
Lansdowne 1 (LD1) – to be renamed in 2023
Robert Carroll (CA)

Gordon Head

The Gordon Head neighbourhood consists of four mid-sized wood-framed buildings surrounding a grass quad that is great for gathering and outdoor activities. This neighbourhood is known for having the largest residence rooms and spacious hallways. The size and design of these buildings makes them a great place to meet new people. Each floor has large community bathrooms and a shared lounge. Wallace and Poole buildings are accessible via a building elevator. This neighbourhood contains the “Wally Kitchen,” which is a community kitchen connected to a large multi-purpose room that is used for residence programs. Roderick Haig-Brown is a quiet community.

Available to: First-year students
There are also a limited number of apartments in this neighbourhood (located on the first floor of the Poole and Wallace buildings), typically reserved for graduate students.

Gordon Head includes the following buildings:

Robert Wallace (WA)
Richard Wilson (WI)
Roderick Haig-Brown (HB)
George and Rae Poole (PL)

Čeqʷəŋín ʔéʔləŋ (Cheko’nien House)

Formerly known as Building 1 (B1)

Čeqʷəŋín ʔéʔləŋ (Cheko’nien House), the first of two brand-new buildings, opened in September 2022. This building offers unique additional amenities to its residents, including a large multi-purpose lounge designed for programs, events, and socializing; a community kitchen for programs and events; and multiple study rooms and lounges on each floor. The residence floors can be reached with two elevators and a staircase. The residence dining hall, The Cove, is located on the first and second floor of Čeqʷəŋín ʔéʔləŋ (Cheko’nien House), and is easily accessible to residents via secured connecting doorways. This large residence building has beautiful views of the campus and the ocean! Located just outside of Ring Road, Čeqʷəŋín ʔéʔləŋ (Cheko’nien House) has great proximity to the library and a direct route to the rest of campus. Quiet communities and the Health and Wellness LLC are located in Čeqʷəŋín ʔéʔləŋ (Cheko’nien House).

Available to: First-year students
There are a limited number of apartments in this building, reserved for specialized housing requirements.

Sŋéqə ʔéʔləŋ (Sngequ House)

Formerly known as Building 2 (B2)

Sŋéqə ʔéʔləŋ (Sngequ House) is the second of two brand-new Passive House buildings, opening for the first time in fall 2023! This large building is a mix of traditional dormitory floors, which have single rooms and single user washrooms, along with multiple lounges and study rooms. The upper floors are home to our new pod communities. These unique pod communities feature single dormitory rooms with access to a large shared kitchen and living space. This building will also have classroom space and an Indigenous student lounge on the lower levels. Sŋéqə ʔéʔləŋ (Sngequ House) is conveniently located just off the Campus Greenway, providing easy access to the rest of campus. Some LLCs will be located in Sŋéqə ʔéʔləŋ (Sngequ House) on both traditional and pod floors.

Available to: First-year and undergraduate students

McGill and Park

The McGill and Park neighbourhood (McPark) is located on the North side of the residence complex. This is typically a quiet area, tucked behind the Student Union Building (the SUB) and bordered by green space and the Alumni Chip trail that circles the campus. This neighbourhood consists of four small wood-frame buildings. The small buildings mean you will get to know everyone in your building and be part of a close-knit community. This neighbourhood is also closest to the campus bus loop. The McGill buildings, Joseph Cunliffe, Shirley Baker and Hugh Stephen were renovated in 2017, with new flooring, paint and lounge furniture. Park is one of our newer buildings with updated amenities, including an elevator and new flooring and paint in 2019. Hugh Stephens is a quiet community.

Available to: First-year students
There is one apartment located in this neighbourhood, typically reserved for a graduate student.

McPark includes the following buildings:

Park (PK)
Joseph Cunliffe (JC)
Shirley Baker (SB)
Hugh Stephen (HS)

Ring Road

This building is its own neighbourhood! As one of the largest residence buildings on campus, there is lots of opportunity to meet new people. Ring Road is home to several living learning communities (LLCs) and a quiet community. It has spacious hallways and lots of large gathering spaces (10 lounges), so there are plenty of places for studying and meeting up with friends. Laundry, mail, garbage and recycling are all conveniently located in the building. Ring Road is close to the library and academic buildings as well as Parking Lot 1.

Available to: First-year students

Craigdarroch

Craigdarroch consists of two residence buildings connected by concrete walkways and surrounded by trees. These small buildings are a mix of single and double rooms, and offer the chance to get to know your roommate and neighbours well. The rooms have built in cabinets and desks, and the building has shared single-user bathrooms. This neighbourhood is close to the Dining Hall, and the Residence Main Office. There is lots of lounge space for community activities.

Available to: First-year students

Craigdarroch includes the following buildings:

David Thompson (DT)
Sir Arthur Currie (SAC)

Towers

The Towers neighbourhood consists of two concrete buildings that are home to living-learning, substance-free and graduate student communities. In the living learning community (LLCs) you will meet students who share your personal interest. Both Tower buildings are close to Parking Lot 5 and the Residence Main Office. South Tower is a gold building which was completed in 2011. Both buildings are equipped with elevators and accessible washroom facilities, and have sunny lounges with great views. Tower building had flooring and paint updates in 2018.

Available to: First-year students, Undergraduate students, graduate students
There are numerous apartments on the upper floors of South Tower, typically reserved for graduate students.

Towers includes the following buildings:

South Tower (STW)
Tower (TW)

Cluster Housing

The Cluster neighbourhood consists of multiple small blocks of four-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment and townhouse-style units, set amidst spacious lawns, paved paths, and mature trees. On the outskirts of campus, it borders onto the forests of Mystic Vale and the Alumni Chip Trail, great for walking and running. In cluster apartments and townhouses, students live in a more independent environment, with private bedrooms and shared kitchen and living spaces. The Cluster neighbourhood is bordered by a parking lot on each side, and there are separate laundry facilities in the neighbourhood. Upgrades of these apartments and townhouses are ongoing, and all units received new kitchen appliances in 2022.

Available to: Undergraduate (2^nd to 4^th year) and Graduate students