The Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK) is steadily implementing its campus development plan in Limassol, gradually transforming the city into a university district both within and beyond the city centre.
Construction of the university’s student residences in the Verengaria area of Polemidia is proceeding at a consistent pace, while planning for additional TEPAK facilities at the second and third development hubs has entered advanced stages, according to university officials.
The student accommodation project remains on schedule despite minor delays caused by industrial action in the concrete sector, with TEPAK Rector Panayiotis Zaphiris expressing confidence that completion deadlines will be maintained.
“The contractor has implemented revised timelines that preserve the original completion date,” Zaphiris explained in a recent statement.
According to the current schedule, the first student residences are expected to be completed by spring 2026, with the entire complex becoming fully operational the following year.
Recent photographs released by the university show progress, with two underground levels already constructed, providing more than 200 parking spaces across an area measuring 250 metres in length and 37 metres in width.
The development represents a substantial engineering undertaking, with excavation reaching approximately 60,000 cubic metres for the underground facilities alone.
Multiple funding sources support ambitious plans
The student housing forms part of a comprehensive €125 million development loan package that also includes athletic facilities scheduled for concurrent completion.
University administrators are simultaneously working with the Department of Urban Planning to create a master plan for the entire Verengaria area development.
“We’re developing a spatial planning framework to determine the optimal placement of academic departments and schools in the area,” Zaphiris noted, while acknowledging that specific funding for this phase has not yet been secured. “We’re actively seeking resources to ensure we’re prepared when the time comes”.
The next project scheduled to commence is the “Eratosthenes” Centre of Excellence, which will partially house activities from the Department of Civil Engineering. This project has already been tendered with contractor bids received and awaiting imminent approval.
City centre expansion advances
Development of the university’s second hub in Limassol’s city centre is progressing through administrative channels, with a project memorandum submitted to the Ministry of Education and forwarded to the Ministry of Finance, which has requested clarifications.
“We’re preparing these clarifications for submission in the coming days,” Zaphiris stated. The facility will house the School of Health Sciences and other academic departments, along with additional student residences.
Unlike the Verengaria development, this project is being pursued through a public-private partnership arrangement as it falls outside the scope of the existing loan facility.
A private plot adjacent to the Third Urban School is also under development following an architectural competition for facilities to accommodate the Department of Multimedia and Graphic Arts and the School of Agriculture.
The Ministry of Education granted approval for this project on Thursday, March 6th.
“This is very positive news, and we’re proceeding with the architect on detailed plans to begin construction promptly,” the Rector confirmed.
The university is also seeking temporary rental properties in the city centre to house staff during renovation of university-owned buildings, including the former Cooperative Bank building adjacent to the Rectorate.
Funding of €17 million for these renovations has been secured through a European Investment Bank loan.
