On 26 October 2017, the ULI Belgium Young Leaders Group hosted an event on student housing. The seminar was followed by a visit to Ommegang, a new student housing development built for the students of the University of Saint-Louis in Brussels. More than 35 young professionals participated at this event.

Ommegang is a large,139-unit, purpose-built student housing accommodation, which Quares Student Housing developed in collaboration with the architecture firm Archi 2000.

The central question of the day was whether student housing has become a mature asset class in the Belgium or whether the sector will continue to develop and increase in quality.

The event started off with a presentation from Herman Dubois, Partner, Quares Students Housing, who is in charge of the Ommegang project. He put the asset class into perspective in relation to challenges in Brussels and other cities.

After this, Pierre Jadoul, Rector, Saint-Louis University, gave the point of view of the University as the client. This was followed with a presentation by Philippe Verdussen, CEO, Archi 2000, about the challenges and particularities of this project.

After the presentations, all the participants had the chance to visit the university’s new amenities (a 650-seat auditorium and a multipurpose room measuring +/-1.050m²  with capacity for +/-1000 pers.) and student houses.

The event concluded with a networking drinks reception.

We would like to thank Saint-Louis University, Quares, and Archi 2000 for their efforts and contribution and we hope to see the Young Leaders soon at our upcoming events!