Around 45 individuals or companies expressed interest in establishing student dormitories in the historic center of Nicosia, but ultimately, only around 30 of them are progressing with their plans.
The remaining ones did not materialize, either due to urban planning obstacles, funding issues, or other reasons.
Some of the interested parties even submitted drafts for dormitory development, but realizing they did not meet the criteria, they halted the process.
If all 30 applications are realized – regardless of whether additional requests are approved later on – it would fulfill the Planning Department’s goal of operating 380 rooms.
This includes rooms in student dormitories being developed by the Archbishopric.
The largest dormitory (among the 30 applications initiated) will consist of 40 rooms, while the smallest will have six.
Out of the 30 applications, approximately 20 dormitories have received urban planning permits, with the construction permit issuance process underway for these, while the others are following suit.
Applicants securing building permits can subsequently apply for financial sponsorship. Currently, 4-5 building permits have been issued.
One applicant has completed all necessary procedures and is in the process of shaping the dormitory.
In the near future, when permits are granted for the 4-5 applications (for which building permits have already been secured), construction will also commence.
An official from the Planning Department, when asked, stated that, in general, the student dormitory development plan is within the timelines.
Approximately half of the buildings being transformed into dormitories are considered preservable, adding the benefit of restoring traditional buildings that would not otherwise be maintained.
Additionally, alongside the aforementioned applications, the Municipality of Nicosia is already transforming dormitories.
In addition to the 380 rooms covered by the Planning Department’s announcement, the municipality will add 70 rooms (50 rooms on Voulgaroktonou, Arsinois, and Komninou streets, and 20 rooms on Aristidou street).
According to the Mayor of Nicosia, Constantinos Giorkatzis, the conversion of the dormitory on Voulgaroktonou is expected to cost €3.8 million plus VAT, while the expenditure for the Aristidou street dormitory amounts to €1.6 million.
These projects are financed by the EU Recovery and Resilience Mechanism under the Cyprus Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Regarding the Archbishopric, it will convert a residential building at the entrance of the Onasagorou street pedestrian area into a dormitory.
Directives for transforming another Archbishopric building into dormitories on Leukonos street have also been issued.
A third Archbishopric building on Koraes street, near the Liberty Monument, will have 13 rooms, and work is already in progress.
Approximately 45 rooms will be created across the three Archbishopric buildings.
It should be noted that, based on the announcements for the first two projects, a total of approximately €30 million will be allocated.
Each grant covers 75% of eligible expenses for each proposal, and for expansion beyond 30% of the existing building’s area, the grant will be 50% of eligible expenses.
The second call for applications, under which requests for dormitory development were submitted, ended on December 29th, and soon the third call will follow.
