Kortrijk (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A maypole was placed atop Vives University’s 16-story student tower, “The Sky,” in Kortrijk. Developed by ION, the building has 192 student rooms and will be ready by September 2026.
As VRT News reported, a maypole has been placed on top of the new student tower, “The Sky,” at Vives University of Applied Sciences in Kortrijk. They mentioned that placing a maypole is a traditional way to celebrate the completion of a building’s main structure. Usually, the pole is temporary, but in this case, it will stay on the roof terrace as a permanent feature. The maypole will become a visible landmark on the campus.
What marks the completion of Vives University’s 16-story tower in Kortrijk?
Construction workers were celebrated during the ceremony with fries.
“The focus today is on them,“
says Boris Parmentier, project development director at ION.
“Without them, we wouldn’t have reached the highest point. This was a fantastic collaboration between the construction team and all the contractors.”
The new student tower at Vives University of Applied Sciences in Kortrijk is nearing an important stage in construction. The shell of the building is almost finished. Inside, work is still ongoing. Contractors need to lay the subfloor, complete plastering, and finish other interior tasks.
Once completed, Vives University of Applied Sciences will manage and rent out the student rooms. ION, the developer, will remain the owner of the tower. This setup allows the university to provide modern housing while the developer keeps long-term ownership.
Construction has begun on “The Sky,” a new student housing tower in Kortrijk. Work started on October 3, 2024, on Doorniksesteenweg. The 16-story building will reach 53 meters and include 192 student rooms. It will also feature shared kitchens, study areas, coworking spaces, and a roof terrace with panoramic views.
The project was designed by C+S Architects and focuses on sustainability. It includes green spaces and concrete core activation. The first students are expected to move in at the start of the 2026 academic year.
