Lambton College student residence 'topping off' expected as one-year construction milestone approaches

As the one year anniversary of breaking ground on construction of a new student residence at Lambton College approaches, the developer says a lot of progress has been made.

Tilbury Properties Corporation Partner Michael Kaye said after ten months the structure had mostly taken shape.

"Foundations are complete and if you've been by the site you can see the structure is near topping off. So, what that means is we're almost at the fifth floor, which is the highest level on the building," Kaye said.

Construction of a new student residence at Lambton College. May, 2026 Submitted photo.

He said completing the "topping off" - likely in the first weeks of June - will be a "huge milestone" and then they'll focus on making sure the building is enclosed.

"Mechanical and electrical installation is ongoing throughout the building, along with window installation and metal stud installation, which will be what the drywall gets adhered to on the interior of the building," he said. "So, there's multiple trades on site, both on the exterior and the interior of the building at this point."

Kaye said the project is still on time and on budget.

"It was a tough winter to be doing construction, but we are on time," he said. "It is not prefabricated construction. We're actually utilizing masonry structural walls, along with hollow-core floors. So, although we have been moving very quickly, that's just manpower on site."

Kaye said multiple tradespeople and crews are on site each day, and Lambton College students have been visiting as well.

"We've actually had multiple student groups tour the building at various stages," he said. "So, that has been something that we've prioritized in our partnership and relationship with the college, is trying to find any opportunities that this project can be leveraged for the benefit of the campus, the community, or the students themselves."

The building is set to open in September 2027.

Lambton College entered into a private public partnership with Tilbury Properties Corporation and Fengate Asset Management for the project.

The companies will finance the build, which is anticipated to cost $50 million.

A drone image of construction of a new student residence at Lambton College. April 11, 2026. Image courtesy of Tilbury Properties Corporation Partner Michael Kaye.