In 1968, Brock purchased five quadruplexes on Glenridge Avenue, establishing the University’s first student residences. With the later addition of three more units, these original residences provided housing for approximately 150 students.To mark Brock’s 60th anniversary, The Brock News is running a monthly series looking back at the University’s history through photos.
When the first Badgers made Brock their home in the 1960s, student housing looked very different than it does today.
The University purchased five quadruplexes on Glenridge Avenue in 1969 to create its first student residences, providing accommodations for about 150 students.
These temporary homes, nestled at the base of the Niagara Escarpment, helped meet the needs of a small but growing student population.
In 1970, Brock celebrated a major milestone with the completion of its first purpose-built student housing: DeCew Residence. Designed to accommodate 400 students, it became a vibrant hub of student life, complete with a 300-seat dining hall, 10 activity rooms and five student lounges.
For generations, DeCew has been the quintessential residence experience on campus, earning a special place in the hearts of alumni and students alike.
Today, Brock’s residence system has expanded dramatically to meet the evolving needs of a modern, diverse student body.
With the addition of Residence 8, a state-of-the-art, 308-bed semi-suite complex which opened in 2022, the University now offers nearly 2,800 residence spaces across eight main-campus buildings.
From traditional style residences such as DeCew, to semi-suite and townhouse-style living in the Vallee, Earp, Lowenberger, Quarry View, Residence 8, Gateway Suites and Village Residences, students can choose from a variety of convenient living arrangements that foster community.
With shared lounges, study rooms, music rooms and social programming, residence life continues to be a cornerstone of the Brock student experience, shaping friendships and memories that last a lifetime.
For Fall 2025, Brock guarantees a space in Residence for full-time undergraduate students in any year of study who apply and pay the residence application fee by Monday, June 2. The guarantee does not apply to Brock Suites, which continues to be first-come, first-served.
Visit Housing Services to learn more information on Student Housing options during the Spring and Summer months.
Residence 8, a state-of-the-art facility that houses 308 students in semi-suite single rooms, with shared washrooms. It offers study rooms, lounges, laundry and 24/7 support.
