CU LAUNCHES MAIN PHASE OF BLOCK B RENOVATION AT ĽUDOVÍT ŠTÚR DORMITORIES
Bratislava, 24 March 2025 – The renovation of Slovakia’s largest student residence complex is entering another major milestone. Today, the Rector of Comenius University Bratislava (CU), Marek Števček, signed a contract with the contractor who won the public procurement procedure. This marks the start of the main renovation phase of the high-rise Block B (VBB) at the Ľudovít Štúr Dormitory in Mlynská dolina.
To date, preparatory work has been carried out in the building to ready the site for handover to the contractor, who will take over in a few days and begin the renovation proper. The project’s funding, amounting to approximately EUR 12.5 million, is secured through the Recovery and Resilience Plan mechanism and the university’s own resources.
“We are very pleased that, following the launch of the renovation of Slovakia’s largest student dormitories in 2023, we are now entering another key stage with the modernisation of Block B. The result of our shared efforts will be quality and affordable student accommodation worthy of the 21st century. Even during the reconstruction period, CU’s residence halls will continue to provide accommodation for the vast majority of applicants, and we remain among the universities in the EU with the highest share of accommodated students,” said CU Rector Marek Števček.
The Ľudovít Štúr dorm (“Štúrak”) is the largest residence complex of the university. The renovation of high-rise Block A is currently underway: its first phase has already been completed (including renewed vertical and horizontal utility lines, sanitary cores, and central heating). The second phase began in September 2024 (involving roof insulation, facade renovation, and replacement of all windows and balcony doors) and is scheduled for completion by summer 2026. In parallel, the renovation of Block B is starting, which will also proceed in stages.
The CU management plans to return both accommodation blocks into service by the start of the 2026/2027 academic year. Only after the completion of the first two phases will the university begin Phase III, which includes the replacement of furniture and flooring, and repainting. This will be carried out gradually, floor by floor. CU’s priority remains to return the housing capacity to full use as soon as possible.
“Securing funding for the renovation of another dorm building is a great success and, once again, the result of a significant amount of work. For the renovation of Block B, the university submitted a funding application under the Recovery Plan, administered by the Ministry of Education, requesting the maximum eligible amount (nearly EUR 10 million), which was granted. The university will contribute its own resources to cover the remainder, with the total project cost reaching approximately EUR 12.5 million,” said CU Vice-Rector for Property Management and Investment, Jana Duračinská.