Real Estate Divestment
Overview
Project Sponsor: Vice-President (Finance and Administration)
On Jan. 28, 2026, the Board of Regents approved recommendations to begin the process of divesting real estate that is not central to 91´«Ã½â€™s academic mission. The real estate impacted by this decision includes Signal Hill Campus, the Johnson Geo Centre, the Ingstad building on Elizabeth Avenue in St. John’s, and Harlow Campus in the United Kingdom. 
The sale of 91´«Ã½ property is subject to the approval of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, pursuant section 4 of the
This project includes, but is not limited to:
- asset inventory and valuation
- documentation preparation (e.g. surveys, deeds, etc.)
- identification of buyers and executing the purchase
- operational separation planning and risk management
- capital allocation after sale
Why This Project is Important
The 2025 Auditor General’s Report on facilities found that 91´«Ã½â€™s building footprint has led to costly under-utilization of infrastructure and growing maintenance liabilities. Divesting of buildings or moving units into St. John’s campus is responsive to that finding.   
The divestment will save an estimated $3 million in 91´«Ã½s’ annual operating expenses as well as a reduction in deferred maintenance liability. 
| Building | Square Footage | Annual savings from closure |
|---|---|---|
| Harlow Campus | 18,175 | $1M |
| Ingstad Building | 12,925 | $150K |
| Signal Hill Campus | 94,126 | $1.259M |
| Johnson Geo Centre | 33,500 | $672K |
In addition to the above-noted savings, the divestment itself requires coordination with several units to facilitate ²Ñ±ð³¾´Ç°ù¾±²¹±ô’s&²Ô²ú²õ±è;separation from the properties and address impacts of separation.
Updates
Harlow Campus
- Academic programming and events at Harlow Campus  concluded Aug. 31, 2026. 
- A market valuation of the property has been completed and preparations are underway for site cleanup and facilities decommissioning in preparation for the real estate process.
- Net proceeds from the sale of property will be reinvested to ensure global learning opportunities are more accessible and equitable for a broader array of students from Newfoundland and Labrador.
Ingstad Building
- Units within the Ingstad building, Strategic Procurement and Print and Mail Services, will move elsewhere on the St. John’s campus.
- 91´«Ã½ is seeking jurisdictional approvals as required for the sale.
- A market appraisal of the property has been completed and planning is underway for site cleanup and facilities decommissioning in preparation for the real estate process.
Johnson Geo Centre
- Johnson Geo Centre is currently open for its regular visitation season.
- At this time, this property is not included in the ongoing market appraisal scope; however, this may be revisited based on progress of discussions with parties.
- If a sale or transfer is not completed by December 2026, operations will cease and the building will close.
Signal Hill Campus
- Events and all confirmed bookings will be honoured through the end of December 2026 as 91´«Ã½ continues to wind down operations. Events booked, or tentatively booked, for after December 2026 have been cancelled. No new events are being booked to facilitate phasing out of operations. Operations and client bookings will continue at the Emera Innovation Exchange, Conference and Event Services, Genesis, Gardiner Centre, MUN Pensioners Association and the Newfoundland Quarterly while further unit-specific planning occurs.
- Student residence will remain open until Dec. 19, 2026. However, students are being encouraged to transition to alternate housing and all have been offered housing on the St. John’s campus.
- A market valuation of the property has been completed and preparations are underway for site cleanup and facilities decommissioning in preparation for the real estate process.