Markham Campus

Located in the heart of downtown Markham, the transit-oriented and sustainable urban campus campus integrates new student facilities within a vibrant, mixed-use setting. The five-acre campus houses a 400,000 square foot building designed for approximately 4,200 students with planned future expansion to accommodate up to 10,000 students.

YUDC was responsible for development, design, construction and delivery of the Markham Campus. It's design was guided by three goals:

• Accessibility involved consultation with people of diverse abilities and specialty design expertise to ultimately exceed Ontario Building Code and Accessibility standards.

• Indigeneity was reflected through the inclusion of natural elements, ceremonial and cultural gathering spaces and educational features and symbols.

• Sustainability was embedded in LEED Gold-certified construction and a set of goals to support York's vision for global leadership through a holistic culture of sustainability.

The campus opened its doors to welcome its first cohort of students in 2024, expanding access to York’s programs and delivering post-secondary education to an underserved part of the province. This achievement has since been recognized with multiple design honours, including a 2025 Grand Prix du Design Grand Prix Award (Architecture, Higher Education), a 2025 ARIDO Award (Learn category), a 2026 Canadian Interiors Best of Canada Design Award (Institutional) and a 2026 International Architecture Award (Schools and Universities).

Status:

Occupied in Summer 2024

Project Highlights:

• York Region's first university campus

• Collaboration between York University, the City of Markham and York Region

• Award-winning, LEED Gold-certified building, designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects

• Phase one delivery of a five-acre master plan

• Over 1,000 students enrolled at its first anniversary, with capacity for 4,200 students

  in phase one

Key Contacts:

Irina Arsene – Director, Project Management & Site Construction