Brescia University College, affiliated with Western University, is Canada’s only women’s university. So as it prepares to open its new $31-million residence building in fall 2013, perhaps it shouldn’t be surprising that it includes an unprecedented level of luxury features designed to appeal to its target market: 290 single rooms with queen-sized beds, personal sinks and vanities, window seats, bar fridges, 7-foot walk-in closets, shared bathrooms with ensuite glass showers, individual heating and air-conditioning controls, secured electronic entry, and pervasive wi-fi.  It’s a huge step forward from the existing 180-bed residence, Ursuline Hall, constructed in 1927.

(Video shot by Ken Steele, November 2013)

Food is likely to be one of Brescia’s centres of excellence, as the school hosts a Food and Nutritional Sciences program, hosts a weekly farmers’ market, and now will have a single-storey marché-style dining pavilion that will seat 300, and will serve fresh, made-to-order foods with an emphasis on local foods. Brescia will also be one of the few residences in the country offering students room service!

The new residence has won five “Green Globes” awards for environmental sustainability, thanks to strategies to reduce air emissions, ozone-depleting substances, effluents, pesticides etc.

Residence fees are $10,950 per academic year, which includes the mandatory meal plan. First-year and upper-year transfer students are guaranteed a room with admission.  In summer months, the facility will serve as a conference centre.

"It’s about what our students want. We asked them and this is what they told us. The No. 1 request was a large closet space, so we made sure to include that." - Marianne Simm, ­Student Affairs Director and Registrar, Brescia University College