Kortrijk’s tallest student tower has reached its final height. To celebrate this, workers used a construction crane this afternoon to place a may tree at a height of 53 metres, in keeping with tradition – this time an exceptionally large one that will remain there permanently. “This marks the completion of the structural work phase, and the finishing work can now begin,” the statement reads. “The first students will be able to move into ‘The Sky’ at the start of the next academic year.”
Although the ground-breaking ceremony took place just a year ago, ‘The Sky’ has now taken shape in its entirety. Today, the VIVES University of Applied Sciences campus is buzzing with activity. Specifically, the structural work has been fully completed and work on the striking façade is also progressing rapidly. To celebrate the smooth and safe progress of the works, project developer ION, contractor Stadsbader and engineering firm Decat Energy Technics treated all the workers this afternoon to a well-deserved, piping-hot portion of chips from Frituur Bossuwé, just round the corner.
“We are extremely proud of the entire construction team. In just over a year, we have succeeded in erecting Kortrijk’s tallest student tower to the highest standards. By planting a maypole – which, incidentally, will have a permanent place on the roof terrace – we are symbolically celebrating the fact that the highest point has been reached. And that calls for a tasty treat. From the site hut to the crane: everyone has already worked incredibly hard to bring this unique project to fruition.”
Dominique Valcke of Stadsbader and Wouter Borghijs of Decat
Waiting list for students
‘The Sky’ will soon comprise 192 student rooms with en-suite facilities, two study areas and a sandwich and soup bar on the ground floor.
“With no fewer than 16 storeys, the project certainly lives up to its name. In addition to the 12 storeys of rooms, each with a communal kitchen, the tower also features two study areas overlooking the 3,439-square-metre park. There will also be a ground-floor lunch bar, a multi-purpose space on the top floor with a roof terrace, and a cycle shed for 600 bicycles. With ‘The Sky’, VIVES University of Applied Sciences is ready to accommodate the growth in student numbers even better.” Boris Parmentier, Project Development Director at ION
Shortly after the maypole was planted, the doors to the first show flat were also opened this afternoon. This gives students a good first impression of exactly what they can expect at ‘The Sky’. During the Open Campus Days on 14 and 15 March, all rooms will be open to the public and guided tours will be available. Those interested can already register their details on the VIVES website, which is responsible for managing the student accommodation: https://www.vives.be/op-kot-sky
You will then be able to apply for a room from the end of March. Students will be placed on a waiting list and will be notified in good time as to whether they will be among the very first residents in September 2026.
