In order to meet the constantly increasing demand for student living space, the Würzburg Student Union's new building project started in 2019 on Pestalozzistrasse: For this purpose, the oldest section of the existing Pestalozzistrasse dormitory, which was over 41 years old, was demolished, which was no longer economically feasible due to the building structure and the small room sizes had to be renovated and thus created space for the new building. With 334 places in various apartment types, including single and shared apartments as well as special units for parents with children and barrier-free apartments, the new dormitory not only offers a diverse selection of living options, but also 116 more rooms than the old building. Common areas on all floors, an event hall and a fitness room also create space for social interaction and shared activities.
During the official inauguration, Michael Ullrich, Managing Director of the Würzburg Student Union, emphasized the importance of the new dormitory in view of the tense housing situation and thanked the Free State of Bavaria, represented by Ms. Ingrid Simet, Ministerial Director in the Bavarian State Ministry for Housing, Construction and Transport public funding: “Without the Free State’s generous dormitory funding, many of our dormitory projects would not be possible or could only be realized with significantly higher rents for students,” says Ullrich.
Mr. Ullrich also pointed out the challenges in this construction project due to various problems due to the corona pandemic and the war in Ukraine, under which the construction of the dormitory took place. This led to high material and energy costs, staff shortages among the craftsmen, higher costs due to additional necessary protective measures and additional costs due to the extended construction times. Despite the difficulties, the shell was completed in February 2022 and the interior work was largely completed by autumn 2023, so that partial occupancy was possible as early as the winter semester of 2023/24. For this, Mr. Ullrich thanked all the planning and craftsman teams involved.
The Chancellor of the Otto Friedrich University of Bamberg, Dr. Dagmar Steuer-Flieser was pleased with the newly acquired living space and thanked everyone involved: “As a university, we want to offer our students an optimal learning and living environment. The inauguration of the student dormitory at Pestalozzistrasse 9 A/B and the associated expansion of the living space is a significant milestone for us. The modern and comfortable facility makes an important contribution to providing housing for our students. I am very pleased about this development and thank everyone involved for their commitment.”
Andreas Starke, Mayor of the City of Bamberg, and Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Steffen Teichert, deputy chairman of the German Student Union, expressed her joy in her welcoming remarks about the newly acquired and affordable living space for students in Bamberg.
The blessing of the Pestalozzistraße dormitory by Dean Roland Huth from the Archbishop's Office of Bamberg and the university pastor Thomas Braun from the Protestant student community in Bamberg rounded off the official part of the inauguration.
Afterwards, the Würzburg Student Union invited everyone present to visit some of the rooms and enjoy finger food and small snacks prepared by the kitchen team from Bamberg.
The Würzburg Student Union wishes all current and future residents of Pestalozzistrasse 9 A/B a wonderful time in their new Bamberg home
