ĽUDOVÍT ŠTÚR DORMITORY IS BEING TRANSFORMED, WITH THE FIRST ROOMS READY IN SEPTEMBER
Bratislava, 29 April 2026: Representatives of the management of Comenius University Bratislava (CU) gave the media a glimpse inside the Ľudovít Štúr Dormitory in Mlynská dolina today. Journalists were able to see behind the scenes of the most extensive renovation of CU dorms in the past 50 years and visit model student rooms that set a new standard for accommodation at CU. Some of them will be available as early as September 2026.
The renovation of the Ľudovít Štúr Dormitory is one of the university’s key investment priorities. It is currently being carried out as two separate projects in both high-rise blocks: High-Rise Block A (VBA) and High-Rise Block B (VBB). CU Rector Marek Števček stressed that although he would prefer the work to move faster, the realities of procurement, administration and financing inevitably slow the process down.
The social dimension of higher education remains a priority. Given the critical shortage of affordable rental housing in Bratislava, renovated dorms are an essential way of making university study possible for students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. “We are aware of our responsibility towards our students. Our vision is to provide decent social housing at affordable prices, which is still more of an exception than the rule compared with many universities in Europe. We want students to complete their studies with knowledge, not a burden of debt from commercial rents,” said CU Rector Marek Števček.
The project is being funded from a combination of sources: Slovakia’s Recovery and Resilience Plan and the university’s own resources. Almost EUR 7 million has been allocated to the renovation of VBA, which has a capacity of around 1,000 beds. The investment in VBB, which has a capacity of around 1,300 beds, is approximately EUR 12.5 million.
Work is currently under way in several stages across an area of more than 30,000 square metres. In VBA, the second stage of the renovation is now being finalised and the third stage is being prepared. In VBB, the first and second stages are being finalised at the same time, while the third stage is also in preparation. In both blocks, the first two stages included the replacement of vertical and horizontal utility distribution systems, repairs to sanitary facilities, insulation of the roof and façade, replacement of windows and balcony doors, and new electrical wiring. In the third stage, the university will produce new furniture, replace the floors and repaint the rooms.
Construction work on the blocks has been scheduled so that the university can meet the deadlines set under Slovakia’s Recovery and Resilience Plan. CU Vice-Rector for Property and Investments Jana Duračinská explained that the final third phase will begin once the final permit for use of the construction work carried out is obtained at the beginning of the summer. The university will carry out this third phase using its own resources. “In order to be as cost-effective as possible, we have built our own carpentry workshop. We are producing the furniture for rooms in VBA ourselves, and we are also using our own capacities as much as possible for painting and finishing work,” said Vice-Rector Jana Duračinská.
Students will see the first results soon. In September 2026, the first three renovated floors in VBA, representing around 200 beds, will be handed over for use. Further floors throughout VBA will be completed gradually during the academic year, followed by VBB. CU management is already planning further renovation projects. Once work on the Ľudovít Štúr Dormitory has been completed, the university intends to focus on the renovation of Družba Dorms, where it also plans to use funding from the State Housing Development Fund.
CU provides regular updates on every stage of the dorm renovation work through the Renovation diaries on its website.
Photo: Michal Valentin