Fanshawe to Launch First Phase of Downtown Campus at 137 Dundas St.

Fanshawe College took a major step forward today in its plan to build a School of Applied and Performance Arts in downtown London. The College announced that it has purchased the former Royal Trust building at 137 Dundas Street - the first of several buildings Fanshawe will acquire and renovate as the downtown school takes shape over the next several years.

"This is a very exciting day for Fanshawe, for the city, and for our many partners in the local arts and digital media communities," said Fanshawe College president Howard Rundle. "After many months of planning and preparation, we are now ready to move ahead with the downtown arts campus. We look forward to bringing this project to fruition, with great benefits for our students and our community."

The building at 137 Dundas represents the first phase of a proposed $40 million plan for the School of Applied and Performance Arts. Over the next ten years, Fanshawe will acquire other buildings - possibly including heritage properties - in the downtown core, developing about 110,000 square feet of learning space that will ultimately accommodate more than 1,000 students and 75 staff members. It is expected that at full capacity the School of Applied and Performance Arts will contribute $80 million annually to the local economy.

London Mayor Joe Fontana (left) congratulates Fanshawe President Howard Rundle on the announcement.
Click here for more photos from the announcement.

The building at 137 Dundas Street offers six storeys and approximately 50,000 square feet of space. Detailed design for renovations on-site will begin almost immediately after the sale closes in October, with the goal of opening to students in September of 2013.

Initially, the property will be home to programs including Theatre Arts Performance and Theatre Arts Technical Production. It will also provide facilities for a brand new Digital Media Centre, which will bring students from computer programming and digital design programs together under one roof. The Digital Media Centre will become a key part of London’s growing video game development community, providing students with exceptional credentials and local companies with skilled employees to help them grow.

Phase one will be home to about 200 students when it opens.

"Downtown London is undergoing an exciting revival, thanks to progressive projects like Covent Garden Market and the John Labatt Centre," President Rundle said. "The School of Applied and Performance Arts will strengthen that revival, providing an anchor for the arts community that will create new opportunities for arts and culture in the city. We are happy to work with so many community partners to make this dream a reality."

The School of Applied and Performance Arts will be funded in part by grants of up to $20 million from the City of London to renovate heritage buildings, and $6 million from the Government of Ontario.