Historic Fire Hall finds new home at UBC
We’re honoured to project manage the development of the UBC Sauder School of Business Powerhouse Expansion, a transformative 11-story addition designed to foster innovation and experiential learning.
A unique challenge presented itself in the planning and design of this project: a historic 98-year-old fire hall that stood on the site.
The Fire Hall, built in 1926, was originally the main station for UBC. Though no longer serving its original purpose since 1982, it holds significant heritage value to UBC. Rather than opting for demolition, UBC decided to repurpose the structure for the Lower Mall Precinct Student Housing Project, which will bring 1,508 new student beds to campus. The preservation of the Fire Hall honours its heritage while advancing UBC’s academic mission and commitment to reducing environmental impact.
As project manager, UBC Properties Trust managed the move in collaboration with Heatherbrae Builders. Building relocation specialists Nickel Bros carried it out, carefully positioning it in a temporary location at UBC for the duration of the construction of the new student housing project.
By preserving the Fire Hall, we celebrate UBC’s rich history while bringing to life a state-of-the-art environment for the next generation of learners. The Expansion project is expected to be completed by 2027 — for more details on the project, visit the Sauder School of Business Powerhouse Expansion project page.
