A joint initiative of French-speaking Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and the Flemish Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), the space will provide accommodation space especially for international students and researchers.

The new development will consist of 800 rooms for international student accommodation, as well as a number of flats for the researchers. There will also be facilities for catering and a hall for student events.

“The target date to complete the entire complex is 2023”

While the space is dedicated primarily to international students, Paul De Knop, rector of VUB, said to the Flemish news organisation, Deredactie.be, that they also wish to “involve Flemish students” when it is completed.

“The target date to complete the entire complex is 2023, but the student rooms should be available earlier.”

The site will be developed in the place of a former police barracks, close to Etterbeek rail station and the VUB campus, located in the south east of the city.

De Knop said that while Brussels is the biggest student city in Belgium, there hasn’t been enough done to promote it as a destination for international students.

“Our central location too is important for international students, who are eager to visit London, Paris and Amsterdam, all destinations that are less than two hours away,” said De Knop.

“The uncertainty surrounding how the UK will implement Brexit too is definitely an opportunity for us,” he added.