On Monday 16 June, Saarland University’s Saarbrücken campus played host to the topping out ceremony for the third of three new student residential halls. This initial construction phase will create 234 housing spots right by the campus, helping to boost the university’s position as an attractive location for study and research.
With a symbolic press of the buzzer, today representatives of the state government, Saarland University, WOGE Saar and the construction and services company GOLDBECK marked the start of the next stage in the student residence construction project: a crane hoisted the first wall unit onto the shell façade of the third new student hall building. The topping out ceremony is another key milestone towards creating a total of 234 new modern student housing spots on the university campus in Saarbrücken.
The three buildings are right by the campus, just a few minutes’ walk from the cafeteria, library and lecture halls. They offer furnished apartments (many of which are accessible) that are specifically tailored to students’ needs. Each housing space has its own kitchenette and a bath with shower, and is available at a moderate rent (excluding bills) of under 300 euros per month. The first students are expected to move in from the 2026 summer semester.
The project has received around 11.65 million euros of finance from federal and state funds as part of social housing assistance. The total cost of construction is around 24 million euros. WOGE Saar, Saarland’s residential property company, is responsible for financing, project management and project coordination in its role as developer for the overall project.
Preparations are currently underway for a second construction phase on the campus with around 300 more housing spaces. Alongside existing student hall E (72 spaces), this would mean that the campus is able to offer students more than 600 housing spots on campus.
Thoughts from the topping out ceremony:
Jakob von Weizsäcker, Minister of Finance and Science:
‘The new housing spaces will revitalise the campus and make our university even more attractive to both domestic and foreign students. Good study conditions require a full package of exciting courses, carefully considered study organisation and an appealing student environment. The new residential area on the campus will significantly improve these conditions.’
Reinhold Jost, Minister of the Interior, Construction and Sport:
‘By building 234 sponsored housing spaces directly on the campus, we are creating urgently needed, affordable housing for students – sending a strong message for educational equality and social participation in Saarland. Thank you to WOGE Saar for their commitment, the professionals on the construction site for their high-quality work – and, last but not least, to the future users who will bring life, diversity and community to this new area. This project is creating not only housing space, but also added value for the Saarland building trade.’
Torsten Lang, Chairman of the Board of WOGE Saar:
‘The project impressively demonstrates how targeted funding enables investment: WOGE Saar’s involvement in student housing sends a message regarding responsibility and willingness to innovate. This will benefit not only the future tenants, but also our regional construction industry – a win-win situation.’
Rita Gindorf-Wagner, CEO of WOGE Saar:
‘The student hall with its three buildings and modern housing units for more than 230 students is one of the largest construction projects of its kind in Saarland, as well as the most comprehensive student housing creation project in decades. The facility will invigorate the university campus with long-term effect and be expanded into an entirely new area. WOGE Saar is proud to be bringing this pioneering project to life.’
Prof. Dr. Ludger Santen, University President:
‘If we want to persuade students to study at Saarland University, we need to provide them with affordable housing options. We are therefore delighted that three student residential halls are now being built right on campus. The halls also represent a vital building block in campus development and will help to boost the student life taking place on the campus itself.’
Anja Knura, CEO of Goldbeck Südwest GmbH:
‘In establishing the student halls in Saarbrücken, we are making use of systematised construction methods that allow us to systematise what cannot be seen and customise what can. This enables us to quickly create urgently needed student housing spaces. The project shows how modern student housing can be structured – functionality paired with an atmosphere of well-being.’
