News & Events

Press Release
November 24, 2011

EllisDon Awarded Contract to Build New Ryerson University Student Learning Centre

Construction services company helping shape the landscape of
downtown Toronto

MISSISSAUGA, November 24, 2011 – EllisDon has been chosen by Ryerson University as the Construction Manager to build its new Student Learning Centre in downtown Toronto. The 155,463 square-foot, eight-storey building at the corner of Yonge and Gould Streets includes an impressive glass facade and will be a significant contributor to the revitalization of the city’s core.

“The Student Learning Centre will be a truly transformative space where our students can collaborate, create and innovate,” said Sheldon Levy, President of Ryerson University. “We’re delighted to partner with EllisDon, one of Canada’s leading construction firms, to build this centre. They were chosen because of their extensive building experience in the education sector, the quality of their team and the commitment that they have shown to Ryerson on this complex project.”

Bruno Antidormi, Senior Vice President of EllisDon, said, “We are excited to be starting a new relationship with a cutting-edge educational institution such as Ryerson University. The new Student Learning Centre will not only be the gateway to the school but an architectural landmark for downtown Toronto.”

The building will be a stunning addition to the city and the university campus, providing students with a variety of space for individual and group study. Along with the glass facade, there will be an elevated plaza, a bridge connecting to the existing Library and academic, study and collaborative spaces. The ground floor will feature prominent commercial retail space facing outwards onto Yonge Street. Acclaimed international architectural team Zeidler Partnership Architects of Toronto, Canada, and Snøhetta of Oslo, Norway, designed the building and unveiled the renderings to the Ryerson community last April.

“With the investment of $45 million from the province, and the talent and expertise of our partners EllisDon and our fine team of architects, this building will make a bold statement on Yonge Street and help to rejuvenate the heart of this city,” said Julia Hanigsberg, Vice-President, Administration and Finance, Ryerson University.

EllisDon will break ground on the $112-million project early next year and construction is expected to be completed by winter 2014.

For more information on the Student Learning Centre, visit: ryerson.ca/ryersonbuilds/studentlearn.html

About EllisDon
EllisDon is an employee-owned company delivering construction expertise and services to clients throughout the world. Completing in excess of $2.7 billion in new construction annually, EllisDon employs approximately 1,400 people and has a presence in North America, as well as offices in the United Arab Emirates. Incorporated in 1951, EllisDon has distinguished itself through its people and its innovative practices. Offering not only construction and project management services but now a growing range of construction consulting services including ICT, Building Information Modeling, Sustainable Building and Facilities Management, EllisDon is behind some of the most exciting and innovative projects in the world. For more information, please visit www.ellisdon.com

About Ryerson University
Ryerson University is Canada's leader in innovative, career-oriented education and a university clearly on the move. With a mission to serve societal need, and a long-standing commitment to engaging its community, Ryerson offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. Distinctly urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to more than 28,000 students, including 2,300 master's and PhD students, nearly 2,700 faculty and staff, and more than 140,000 alumni worldwide. Research at Ryerson is on a trajectory of success and growth: externally funded research has doubled in the past four years. The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education is Canada's leading provider of university-based adult education. For more information, visit www.ryerson.ca

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