Ceremonial opening in Würzburg
Würzburg's Mayor Christian Schuchardt described the official opening of the new student residence in Klara-Oppenheimer-Weg in Würzburg on Thursday, 7 December 2023 as a "day of joy". With the start of construction in April 2021, the winning design of the previous architectural competition was realized, which now supplements the residence capacities of the Studierendenwerk Würzburg by 181 places as a modern, urban residential block with a green inner courtyard.
The accommodation on the North Campus of Julius-Maximilians-Universität takes the form of comfortable single and shared apartments, including two wheelchair apartments and two parent-child apartments. On the three floors of the hall of residence, large communal areas and a roof terrace offer space to get to know your fellow residents and invite you to linger. A table tennis room and a well-equipped fitness room provide further opportunities for shared leisure activities.
The new building also includes a parking deck with 30 parking spaces for cars and 10 spaces for motorcycles as well as a spacious bicycle room for 181 bicycles. The attractive location of the accommodation has several advantages for the students living there: The University of Würzburg buildings on the Hubland North Campus are conveniently close by; the Studierendenwerk's catering facilities located there can be easily reached on foot or by bike. Students also have direct access to the city's public transport network in the immediate vicinity of the hall of residence.
During the inauguration ceremony, Michael Ullrich, Managing Director of Studierendenwerk Würzburg, praised the excellent work of the planners and craftsmen involved, which enabled the construction project to be completed in time for the first occupancy in the winter semester 2023/24. In his speech, he also emphasized how essential the funding of student residences is in view of the tense housing situation at many university locations nationwide and thanked the Bavarian State Ministry of Housing, Construction and Transport, represented by Ministerial Director Ingrid Simet, for funding the housing supply.
"I am convinced that the promotion of student housing is a sustainable and sensible promotion of the university sector as a whole and of Würzburg as a university location in particular," said Managing Director Ullrich. With an expected warm rent of EUR 428 per month, the new hall of residence will make a significant contribution to providing comparatively affordable accommodation for Würzburg students.
Prof. Dr. Andrea Klug, Deputy Chair of the Association Council of the Deutsches Studierendenwerk, also emphasized the exemplary role of the Free State of Bavaria, which supported the construction project with 6.5 million euros, as a "positive benchmark."
Professor Dr. Paul Pauli, President of Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, emphasized that both available and affordable living space are fundamental conditions for successfully starting and completing a course of study. The new building project represents a positive and important development in Würzburg, the speakers agreed in their welcoming speeches.
The two university priests Burkard Hose, Catholic University Community of Würzburg, and Johannes Körner, Protestant Student Community of Würzburg, blessed the new student residence. Afterwards, the Studierendenwerk Würzburg invited guests to view some of the rooms and enjoy soup and finger food provided by the kitchen team of the Mensateria Hubland Nord under the direction of Mr. Sebastian Welzenbach.
Studierendenwerk Würzburg wishes all current and future residents of Klara-Oppenheimer-Weg 39 a wonderful time in Würzburg and in their new home.