MacEwan University’s City Centre Campus and NorQuest College sit roughly 600 metres apart in downtown Edmonton, close enough that many rentals within walking distance of one campus are also within reach of the other. NorQuest does not operate its own residence, so students who want to live near campus should compare private downtown rentals and confirm any partner housing options directly with NorQuest before applying.
How close are the two campuses to each other?
The two campuses sit roughly 600 metres apart in downtown Edmonton. If exact route timing matters for your commute, a mapping tool from your specific building or campus entrance will give a more reliable estimate than a general figure.
NorQuest College has no residence, and here’s what that means for students
NorQuest serves approximately 12,573 full and part-time credit students, plus roughly 7,894 in continuing education, per NorQuest’s own about page. The college doesn’t operate a residence building of its own. Some third-party sources describe a partnership giving NorQuest students access to MacEwan University Residence, but this isn’t confirmed on either institution’s own residence pages, so students should confirm current student housing options directly with NorQuest Student Services before relying on it.
Downtown Edmonton’s student-housing expansion in 2026
Edmonton’s Downtown Student Housing Incentive is a $15 million program under the city’s Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan. As of mid-2026, the city confirms all available funding has been allocated, creating over 550 new, dedicated student units across five projects, all currently under construction rather than open for move-in. Once completed, these projects are expected to add more student-housing options to the downtown area. In the meantime, current listings near MacEwan and NorQuest are easiest to compare on liv.rent’s Edmonton listings, where you can look for verified landlord and listing badges.
What the Edmonton rental market looks like for MacEwan and NorQuest renters in 2026
As of August 2026, the average unfurnished one-bedroom in Edmonton rents for $1,264 a month, down 2.91% from a year earlier, according to liv.rent’s August 2026 Calgary and Edmonton Rent Report. Furnished one-bedrooms averaged $1,413, and vacancy across the city is loosening, which may give student renters more choice than they had during tighter rental years.
Average rent near both campuses right now
Rent varies by sector, but liv.rent’s rent report doesn’t provide a downtown-specific average. As a general citywide benchmark, Edmonton’s Southwest sector had the highest unfurnished one-bedroom average in August 2026 at $1,344, while the West sector was the most affordable at $1,197, per liv.rent’s rent report. Use these figures as a starting point only, and compare active listings near each campus for more relevant pricing.
Why downtown Edmonton renters may have more choice in 2026
Purpose-built rental vacancy in the Edmonton census metropolitan area reached 3.8% in CMHC’s 2025 Rental Market Report, and CMHC’s early 2026 outlook forecasts it climbing toward 4.5%, though that figure is a forecast rather than a confirmed count. CBC News reported that landlords are responding with incentives such as free rent periods and complimentary internet as new supply outpaces demand.
Seven properties participating in MacEwan’s off-campus housing program
MacEwan’s current off-campus housing page lists seven participating properties, with a limited number of discounted or incentivized units available through the university’s pilot program: G4, Lotus Park, Park Ave, The Parks, The Switch, Village on 105th, and Williams Hall. Some are renting now, others have limited or upcoming availability, so confirm current terms with each property before applying. This is separate from the five city-funded incentive projects covered above, which remain under construction.
MacEwan’s seven participating properties
According to MacEwan’s off-campus housing page, discounted units are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and rental agreements are made directly with each property owner, not with the university.
The Switch, 10465 101 Street NW, features a community lounge, rooftop patio, and a gym.
The Parks, 10135 108 Street NW, features a full gym, rooftop patio, and sky lounge.
G4, 10015 113 Street NW, west of downtown near Jasper Avenue, features a fitness centre, on-site management office, and parcel lockers.
Village on 105th, in Oliver, features a fitness centre, bike storage, and tenant storage lockers.
Park Ave, also in Oliver, features a fitness centre, secure resident courtyard, and bike storage.
Lotus Park, 10164 108 Street NW, is a newer rental community along Capital Boulevard with a rooftop terrace and fitness centre.
Williams Hall, 10030 102A Avenue NW, features a full-size gymnasium, indoor bike storage, and an indoor/outdoor rooftop space. Williams Hall had upcoming availability listed for October 2026 at the time of writing; students should confirm the current opening date and incentive directly with the property. As a participant in the Downtown Student Housing Incentive, it offers MacEwan students a lease incentive rather than a direct discount.
| Building | Address | Amenities highlight | Note |
| The Switch | 10465 101 Street NW | Community lounge, rooftop patio, gym | Discount available; confirm with property |
| The Parks | 10135 108 Street NW | Full gym, rooftop patio, sky lounge | Discount available; confirm with property |
| G4 | 10015 113 Street NW | Fitness centre, management office, parcel lockers | Discount available; confirm with property |
| Village on 105th | Oliver | Fitness centre, bike storage, storage lockers | Discount available; confirm with property |
| Park Ave | Oliver | Fitness centre, courtyard, bike storage | Discount available; confirm with property |
| Lotus Park | 10164 108 Street NW | Rooftop terrace, fitness centre | Discount available; confirm with property |
| Williams Hall | 10030 102A Avenue NW | Gymnasium, bike storage, rooftop space | Incentive; Oct. 2026 availability listed; confirm with property |
Because discounted units are limited and change as they lease out, contact each property directly to confirm current availability and lease terms.
Other liv.rent building pages in this corridor
Beyond MacEwan’s seven partner properties, liv.rent’s own building directory includes numerous building pages across downtown Edmonton, Oliver, and Queen Mary Park. A few worth a look:
Downtown core: Downtown Edmonton Apartments, 9835 106 Street NW; Mayfair on Jasper, 10823 Jasper Avenue NW; and Central LRT Apartments, 10730 105 Street NW.
Oliver: Oliver Place, 10130 117 Street NW; Oliver Place 1, 10187 113 Street NW; and Oliver 1 Apartments, 10320 115 Street NW.
Queen Mary Park: Queen Mary Apartments, 10835 115 Street NW; and Erin Place, 11828 105 Street NW.
Each of these shows current listings on liv.rent when a unit is posted there, so it’s worth checking back if nothing’s live at the moment. For anything else downtown, search liv.rent’s Edmonton listings and look for verified landlord and listing badges.
Which Edmonton neighbourhood is best for MacEwan and NorQuest students?
Three neighbourhoods cover this corridor: downtown Edmonton itself, Oliver just to the west, and Queen Mary Park to the north. Downtown offers the shortest walk to both campuses and may price higher than nearby alternatives, depending on the building and lease timing. Oliver and Queen Mary Park may offer more options outside the downtown core while staying within a manageable commute to class.
Downtown core
MacEwan and Corona stations provide LRT access to the downtown area, but students should confirm the walking or transit time from each property to their campus entrance.
Oliver and Queen Mary Park
Oliver’s walk to Corona Station varies by address, so check the specific building rather than assuming uniform access. Queen Mary Park leans more on walking or bus connections to MacEwan Station. Both are worth comparing against downtown listings for price and space.
What should students check before renting downtown?
Conditions can vary by block in any city core. Review current neighbourhood data on the Edmonton Police Service’s neighbourhood crime mapping tool, tour the area when possible, and ask current residents about their experience before signing.
Does MacEwan University or NorQuest College offer on-campus housing?
MacEwan University operates its own residence downtown and is now accepting applications for the 2026 to 2027 year. NorQuest doesn’t operate a residence of its own. Students should confirm any partner housing options directly with NorQuest before planning around MacEwan Residence.
MacEwan Residence
MacEwan Residence offers bachelor, two-bedroom, and four-bedroom suites, according to MacEwan’s own residence overview, in a 13-storey downtown building. The university notes space is limited, so applying early matters.
MacEwan’s off-campus discount pilot
Beyond the residence itself, MacEwan’s off-campus housing pilot connects students with discounted or incentivized units at the seven properties covered above. Discounted units are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, so students should confirm current availability and lease terms directly with each property owner, per MacEwan’s off-campus housing page.
What Alberta rental laws apply to students renting near MacEwan and NorQuest?
In Alberta, most private off-campus tenancies near MacEwan and NorQuest are governed by the province’s Residential Tenancies Act. This is general information, not legal advice, so confirm anything specific to your lease with Alberta’s official tenant resources.
Security deposits
A landlord can’t charge more than one month’s rent as a security deposit, and it can’t be increased partway through a tenancy, per the Government of Alberta’s guide to starting a tenancy. For 2026, Alberta has set the annual interest rate on security deposits at zero per cent, so no interest is owed on deposits held this year.
Rent increases and landlord entry
Alberta places no cap on how much a landlord can raise rent, but the timing rules are strict. For a month-to-month tenancy, a landlord must give at least three full tenancy months’ written notice; rent can’t be raised during a fixed term, and increases must be at least 365 days apart, according to the province’s guide to tenancy rules. Except in permitted circumstances such as an emergency, a landlord must generally provide at least 24 hours’ written notice stating the reason for entry, and enter between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
If something goes wrong: the RTDRS
Disputes can go to the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service, a quasi-judicial tribunal that offers an alternative to court. As of April 2026, filing fees are $75 for claims of $7,500 or less and $150 for claims above that, per the RTDRS page.
Tips for finding and securing a rental near MacEwan or NorQuest
Start your search ahead of a September move-in if you can, especially if you want to stay within walking distance of either campus. Discounted and campus-adjacent units through MacEwan’s pilot are limited and may change as they lease out, so check current availability often.
At a showing, ask what’s included (heat, water, internet), whether parking is extra, and what the lease term looks like. Read the complete lease carefully before signing. And watch for the usual red flags: rent that appears unusually low compared with similar current listings in the same neighbourhood, pressure to send money before you’ve seen the unit, or a landlord who won’t confirm the exact address.
Searching on liv.rent gives students access to identity-verified landlords and verification information that can help assess a listing and reduce risk, which matters when moving to a new city, or a new country, for the first time.
Does NorQuest College have a residence or dorms?
NorQuest doesn’t operate its own residence building. Students should confirm any partner housing options directly with NorQuest before relying on MacEwan Residence or another institutional housing option.
How far is NorQuest College from MacEwan University?
The two campuses sit roughly 600 metres apart in downtown Edmonton. Check a mapping tool from your exact building or campus entrance before relying on a walking time.
How much is rent near MacEwan University and NorQuest College in 2026?
As of August 2026, Edmonton’s average unfurnished one-bedroom rent was $1,264 a month, while the city’s Southwest sector averaged $1,344. Check current downtown listings for building-specific pricing.
What should students check before renting downtown Edmonton?
Conditions can vary by block in any city core, so review current neighbourhood data, tour the area when possible, and ask current residents about their experience before signing.
What's the maximum security deposit a landlord can charge in Alberta?
One month’s rent. It can’t be increased during the tenancy, and for 2026 the province has set the interest rate on deposits at zero per cent. This is general information, not legal advice.
Can my landlord raise my rent near MacEwan or NorQuest?
Alberta has no cap on the size of a rent increase. For a month-to-month tenancy, landlords must give at least three full tenancy months’ written notice, and increases must be at least 365 days apart; rent can’t be raised during a fixed term.
Does MacEwan University have an off-campus housing program?
Yes. MacEwan’s current off-campus housing page lists seven participating properties, with availability, discounts, and lease terms confirmed directly through each property owner.
When should I start looking for an apartment near MacEwan or NorQuest?
Start before the late-summer rush if you can, and check current availability often, since discounted and campus-adjacent units may be limited and change as they lease out.
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