Wittenborg Renovates and Improves Student Accommodation

School Upgrades Separate Apartments and Dormitory Building

To provide students with more comfortable, functional and attractive accommodation, Wittenborg is renovating many of its housing facilities. The work has been completed on five separate apartments located in South Apeldoorn, at Marchantstraat 13 and 27, Albardastraat 138 and 192, and Lekstraat 165. 

The renovations were carried out by GY Renovaties last July, while the furnishing and decoration are currently underway, managed by Wittenborg staff and volunteer students. The apartments will be reopened to the student community at the beginning of October, just in time for the new students joining in the October intake. 

Among other improvements, the facilities now feature new kitchens, toilets and bathrooms. The buildings’ interiors, including floors and walls, have also been renovated, and all facilities have been furnished with completely new furniture. 

Student Housing Administrator Christine Allamby underlines the high quality of the renovation works done on the apartments. “Having seen both the before and after, I can guarantee that these apartments truly feel like a home and provide a great transition for new students. I feel proud and even a little jealous, as I wouldn’t mind living in them myself!”

According to Housing and Facility Caretaker Arno van den Belt, the new apartments look “unbelievably beautiful.” He adds that everyone who has viewed them is very enthusiastic. 

Wittenborg’s dormitory building at Ruyterstraat 3 is also undergoing renovation, beginning with the bathrooms and toilets. The goal is to complete the renovation of the entire building by the end of the year. 

Currently, the school offers 75 studios, nine apartments (totalling 36 rooms) and one dormitory with 34 rooms. Wittenborg’s accommodation services are used by 101 students. 

CEO Maggie Feng highlights that finding housing in the Netherlands can be challenging. For this reason, the school seeks to provide high-quality and affordable accommodation for students. “We want our students to make the most of their experience, and housing is a fundamental element in this process. By using our services, they are sure to have comfort, safety and quality of life, which positively impacts their academic performance.”  

Feng explains that the institution offers housing to the new students upon their arrival. After a few months, they are expected to find more suitable accommodation themselves as they will be acclimatised to life in a new city and country. “By then, they will be able to secure their accommodation based on their personal needs, budget and style. At the moment, we are helping them during their first months in the Netherlands, but Wittenborg is working with landowners, the Apeldoorn city council and other stakeholders to invest in more student accommodation, in both short-stay and more permanent options.” 

WUP 23/09/2024 
by Ulisses Sawczuk 
©WUAS Press