The Independent

There will be a new student residence at Lambton College, but it won’t be owned or operated by the educational institution.

Lambton College has struck a deal with a private equity firm and a construction company to build and operate the long-planned college residence.

In a news release, officials say after four years of planning, the college has formed public-private partnership with Tilbury Properties Corporation and Fengate Asset Management to design, construct, finance, operate, and maintain the residence.

Tilbury Properties is a Toronto-based company with roots in southern Ontario which builds university and college residences. It’s most recent project is a 452-bed residence at the University of Windsor.

Fengate is an investment company which focuses on infrastructure and real estate.

The new building will have 311 student spaces. It will replace the current 280 unit residents which was once a former hotel, creating 31 new spaces.

“The number of residence spaces in the new residence was arrived at following the completion of a market demand analysis, by Landmark Properties. As well the new residence has been designed to allow for an expansion in future years, should the need arise,” said Jami Kloet, spokesperson for Lambton College.

Kloet says the building will contain across a mix of hybrid and apartment-style units, complete with kitchen facilities and will be located on the north end of the campus by the EarlyON Centre near London Road.

The cost of the new building is not being released. “Tilbury Properties Corporation and Fengate Asset Management will design, construct, finance, operate and maintain the new residence. As such, the financial details are part of their scope and responsibility,” said Kloet.

In its news release, the college says forming the private public partnership “a long-term financial analysis of development options identified that a public-private partnership would best support Lambton College’s financial sustainability.”

Construction will start by the end of this month and should be ready for students in September 2027.