The MERKBAU proves its worth in a city centre project – Graduation ceremony at the capital’s student accommodation

The topping-out ceremony for the Tertio Millennio Centre and Student Accommodation took place on 16 April, marking an important milestone for the development project in Budapest’s 8th district. The development, commissioned by the Fundatio Tertio Millenio, is being carried out by MERKBAU Építőipari és Kereskedelmi Zrt..

The contractor has been responsible for the full scope of construction work from the outset, from the implementation of the plans through structural work right through to the finishing touches. The Tertio Millennio Centre, currently under construction on Diószegi Sámuel Street, will serve as both student accommodation and an educational facility, whilst also offering programmes for adults and families as well as students.

A five-storey building is under construction

The construction of the Tertio Millennio Centre and Student Accommodation differs in several respects from that of a conventional residential or hotel building. The functional design of the building is specifically tailored to a particular target group – in this case, male students aged between 18 and 25.

Accordingly, alongside traditional residential functions, there is a strong emphasis on spaces that support community life.

The main technical parameters of the development clearly illustrate the scale of the project: the total net floor area is 3,232.88 square metres; the building comprises a total of eight storeys (basement, ground floor and six upper floors); and the height of the top usable floor reaches +21.42 metres. The building will be able to accommodate 225 people on a continuous basis, whilst it will also be capable of accommodating up to 325–350 people on an occasional basis.

In addition to the living quarters, the building also houses a number of ancillary facilities:

• public spaces,
• study rooms,
• canteen,
• music room,
• a rooftop terrace and a large auditorium where events and conferences can be held,
• as well as a small and a larger chapel.

During the design process, particular attention was paid to ensuring that students had access to both quiet spaces where they could retreat and areas necessary for socialising.

Day-to-day logistical and organisational tasks

One of the greatest challenges of the project is the densely built-up city centre environment. The construction site can only be accessed from one direction, and the space available for site operations is extremely limited, making on-site material storage practically impossible. Consequently, the construction process is carried out almost entirely on a „just-in-time” basis:

Materials are installed shortly after arrival to make room for the next deliveries.

Particular professional attention was also required to ensure the structural integrity of the adjacent buildings, which are over a century old, especially during the foundation works. Throughout the entire construction period, ongoing daily logistical and organisational tasks must be managed, including the optimisation of public space usage and the movement of materials on site.

Our shared vision has become a reality

The first to speak at the event was Ramón Gomez-Rodulfo, who shared his thoughts on behalf of the Tertio Millennio Foundation:

„It’s been a long journey to get here: the project’s roots go all the way back to 2021, and even further. We faced many challenges during construction, as what appears simple on paper often requires new solutions in reality. We owe a debt of gratitude to everyone involved – from the designers to the builders – whose work has made it possible for us to stand here today. However, this building is not merely a student residence: it is a communal and intellectual space that will serve generations to come. We are confident that the value of the work carried out here will endure for decades, perhaps even centuries.”

Attila Mészáros, Deputy Business Director of Merkbau Zrt., said:

„Today marks an important milestone, as the building has reached the structural completion stage, which is a significant achievement for such a complex project. It was clear from the outset that this was an extremely complex project requiring bespoke solutions, which, given its city-centre location, demanded meticulous planning and precision. We had to overcome numerous challenges during construction, but cooperation between all parties remained constructive throughout. Special thanks are due to the professionals working on site, without whose efforts we would not have got this far. If we continue with this approach, I am confident that the end result will be worthy of the efforts made so far.”

At the Merkbau Zrt. events, a traditional bouquet poem was recited by project manager Gergely Szabó .

Construction is proceeding according to plan; the aim of the professionals working on the project is for the student accommodation to open its doors by the start of the next academic year, so that the students can take possession of the new study centre.