Hall of residence at Justus Lipsiuscollege in Leuven to close sooner than planned, 150 students will have to move
The 150 students that are currently housed in the hall of residence at the Justus Lipsiuscollege in Leuven will have to move to new digs from the start of the new academic year in the autumn. Leuven University (KUL) is to start renovation work at the Justus Lipsiuscollege earlier than planned and the building needs to be vacated in order to carry out the work. The university will offer all the students that are currently housed at the Justus Lipsiuscollege alternative accommodation.
Since the 19th century the Justus Lipsiuscollege on Minderbroedersstraat in Leuven (Flemish Brabant) has been used by the Catholic University of Leuven as a hall of residence for its students. The building is in urgent need of renovation. Originally the plan was to start the renovation work next year. However, the date has been brought forward, after an inspection ordered the immediate closure of the hall of residence’s kitchen.
The university’s Student Accommodation Management Department said in a statement that “During the past few days we have met with the KU Leuven’s Maintenance Department to examine the options for additional kitchen facilities at the hall of residence. Sadly, no short-term solution could be found. Consequently, we will have to close the Justus Lipsiuscollege on 15 September 2025".
Alternative accommodation
The students that will be given alternative accommodation were informed of their options at meetings held on Wednesday. They will be given priority over new applicants for university accommodation.
KU Leuven’s Director of Student Facilities Ann Gaublomme told VRT News that "We could no longer offer meals at that building. At the start of the week, we closed the kitchen. We then decided that the renovation work should start a year earlier and the hall of residence will not be open during the next academic year”.
The renovation work will take around 5 years to complete.