Your Guide to the leləm̓ Development Near UBC

Nestled right next to the vibrant UBC campus and the lush temperate rainforest of Pacific Spirit Regional Park, you’ll find leləm̓ development by Musqueam Capital Corporation.

Whether you’re interested in taking yourself on a self-guided walking tour of Indigenous and specifically Musqueam art in Vancouver, itching to check out the new community centre and kid-friendly amenities, or a golfer looking for somewhere besides WestWard Ho! (the golf course’s restaurant) to grab lunch, leləm̓ at UBC has something for everybody. We’ve assembled everything you need to know about this up-and-coming neighbourhood.

What Is It and What’s Nearby?

More than just housing, this strategic-planned community on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) lands has been designed with deep-rooted Musqueam values of inclusivity, respect, and environmental stewardship in mind. In fact, leləm̓ means “home” in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓, the Musqueam language, and it reflects a welcoming, diverse culture for people from all walks of life to enjoy.

Located in the University Endowment Lands, leləm̓ is just minutes away from the wide expanse of Pacific Spirit Regional Park, the lively energy of UBC campus, the rolling hills of the University Golf Club, several stunning beaches, and Vancouver’s westside neighbourhoods, including Kitsilano.

If you’re walking, biking, or trail running at Pacific Spirit Regional Park, there are trails, like the Salish Trail, Sword Fern Trail and the Ortona Trail, that connect to the park and can lead you straight to leləm̓’s core plazas and public spaces.

There are countless other ways to get outdoors at UBC, in close proximity to leləm̓, too. Nearby, you’ll find the Camosun Bog, one of many exciting things to do out in nature at Pacific Spirit Regional Park.

And, if you’re more likely to be found on the golf green than among the green forest trees, you can easily walk to leləm̓ for lunch from the University Golf Club course. Fun fact! Did you know that the University Golf Club, also owned and operated by Musqueam, turns 100 years old in 2029?

How Is leləm̓ Unique When It Comes To Sustainability?

leləm̓ was designed to respect and preserve nature, weaving sustainable design directly into its existing natural surroundings. In 2008 Musqueam took ownership of this 21-acre property that was zoned as a typical car dependent residential subdivision and created a community-centered development with dedicated green space while providing many urban amenities. The result? More than half of leləm̓ is dedicated to parks and open space.

If you want to see sustainability in action, look no further than the benches scattered throughout the community, which are made of red cedar. Some of the scrap wood from the site itself was used to build these benches, which were made by Musqueam carpenters. Overall, much of the wood materials used were sustainably sourced from right here in British Columbia.

There is also an open bioswale system for rainwater management (bioswale is another word for ditches that filter dirt and pollution from rainwater, enhancing ecological connectivity). The pond empties at a controlled rate, so it doesn’t overwhelm the nearby creek.

The dedication to being green doesn’t end there. All buildings in the development connect to and benefit from passive energy available on site, including geothermal energy, energy from wastewater, and rejected energy from the grocery store refrigeration at Urban Fare. All users connected to the system don’t pay for this energy, but rather proportionally contribute to operating expenses.

What Artworks Can You See?

One of the most exciting activities you can do at leləm̓ is a self-guided Musqueam art walking tour.

Whether you’re simply wandering around and some of the stunning pieces catch your eye, or you’re deliberately planning a visit to see Musqueam art in Vancouver, the artworks integrated into leləm̓’s buildings and spaces are a wonderful way to experience Indigenous culture, especially Musqueam, in the city.

'A Bird’s Eye View' by Kelly Cannell is a statue that serves as homing beacon for everyone in leləm̓ community. The statue represents four revered birds within Musqueam culture, with one bird on each side. The North side features the eagle, the West side features the raven, the South side features the blue heron, and the East side features the barred owl.

Keep an eye out for ducks at the wetlands, then pause to admire ‘Cycle of Life’ by Kelly Cannel and Brent Sparrow. This sculpture piece consists of three spherical clusters of magnified eggs, representing salmon, frog and salamander eggs. The sculptures light up at night, casting interesting shapes inspired by these three different creatures from the wetlands.

For more information on the Musqueam artwork you can see around leləm̓, check out this comprehensive guide. The collection spans a wide range of two and three-dimensional forms, materials and approaches, and are a momentous expression of Musqueam visual culture through public art.

What Amenities Are Part of leləm̓?

From welcoming spaces for families to local neighbourhood staples, urban amenities form a core part of leləm̓.

A new community centre will be opening in September 2026, operated by the YMCA. As with many parts of the development, the space showcases both stunning artwork and sustainability. Be sure to check out the two longstanding trees that the building was designed around, in order to preserve them, as well as the Musqueam art that is incorporated throughout the space.

The development also includes great resources for families like CEFA (Core Education & Fine Arts) daycare, Pure Integrative Pharmacy, Kumon, and Dentist at leləm̓ Village.

Have you gotten in touch with your inner child recently? leləm̓ Park, behind the daycare, has play spaces for both children and adults. Children’s playground equipment built of large logs blends into the surrounding environment of 150-foot tall trees. Adults equipment includes an outdoor exercise circuit and slack line.

At the entrances to the park, you’ll find light shrouds called ‘Reawakening: Songs of the Pacific Chorus’ by Kelly Cannell and Thomas Cannell. Grouped like a cluster of friends, these pierced aluminum frog figures feature cut-outs that cast shadows of the designs on the ground at night.

There is two-hour free parking for visitors with registration.

What's Happening This Summer?

Looking for a reason to visit? Join in on Summer Music in the Plaza, a free outdoor concert series taking place throughout the summer from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the heart of leləm̓.

Bring a friend, grab dinner from one of the village restaurants, and enjoy live music in a unique community setting surrounded by public art, green space, and Musqueam culture.

Be sure to check the leləm̓ events calendar for upcoming performances, community gatherings, seasonal activities, and the latest event information.

Where Can You Go To Eat?

leləm̓ includes several excellent options for chowing down, depending on what you’re in the mood for.

For a MICHELIN® Guide Recommended celebration of West Coast culture and cuisine, check out Wildlight Kitchen & Bar. This lunch-through late-night spot is perfect for all kinds of occasions, highlighting modern cuisine with locally sourced ingredients.

Picnic at the beach, anyone? For organic produce, fresh local seafood, artisan coffee, and so much more, Urban Fare provides elevated grab-and-go choices for those who’d like to take their meal out into the world.

After a particularly competitive golf game or an extra-long jog in the woods, Popeyes might be exactly what you’re craving.

How Do You Get To leləm̓?

One of the many benefits of visiting leləm̓ is how easy it is to access, whether you're arriving by transit, bike, foot, or car (or in the future, hopefully by SkyTrain).

Located along University Boulevard, leləm̓ is well connected to the broader Metro Vancouver region through frequent transit service. Bus stops are just a short walk from the village centre, with peak-hour service typically arriving every 15 minutes or less on key routes. You can use the TransLink website to plan your trip.

Prefer an active commute? leləm̓ is connected to an extensive network of walking and cycling routes that link directly into Pacific Spirit Regional Park's trail system, making it easy to arrive via the forest trails or explore the surrounding area on foot or by bike.

leləm̓ is about a 25-minute drive from Downtown Vancouver. Visitors coming by car will find complimentary two-hour parking with registration, along with two on-site EV charging stations available for charging sessions of up to two hours.

As you can see, leləm̓ is helping to shape a vibrant Vancouver lifestyle where real community connection and environmental stewardship go hand-in-hand.

For visitors to Vancouver, it also offers exciting ways to engage with Musqueam culture and learn about Musqueam’s history, presence, and future. Next time you’re near UBC, don’t hesitate to check it out!