Studying has not only gained popularity in Germany, student numbers have been climbing all over the world in the past decades. Forecasts suggest that approximately 250 million people will be enrolled in universities in 2025, and an end to the increase is not in sight.
With universities mostly located in cities, students are enhancing a trend which has also been generally visible during the past decades: urbanisation, which is making it increasingly difficult to find appropriate housing – not least due to the students having to compete with young professionals, commuters, and an increasing number of one-person households all searching for the same kind of housing: compact, central and well equipped.
Strong demand for micro-apartments
The property sector has reacted to the increase in demand for compact urban housing, building more and more micro apartments, i.e. generally speaking, one-room flats of 20 to 35 square metres with a living area, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen unit all in one. Demand for these micro apartments is so high that market observers are already calling the trend 'a new star on the property market'. These flats are more than just housing, they are an expression of a new attitude towards life, fulfilling the need for a community, and the requirements of co-working, sharing, new work, flexibility, and mobility.
The concept student housing has been developed with students in mind, offering an all-round service in line with their needs which traditional student housing complexes don't offer. Examples are a laundry and cleaning service, a gym, terraces, restaurants or libraries. Furthermore, these new premium housing complexes boast a reception offering multilingual information nearly 24/7 – almost like at a hotel.