Historic Dornbirn weaving mill becomes student residence for 83

ORF reports that a former textile mill in Dornbirn has been converted into a student residence housing 83 students from 24 countries after a two-year renovation.

The former Juchen weaving mill on Aachstraße dates back to 1812. The historic building, once visited by the emperor, is now home to 32 apartments in the protected original structure, alongside 51 in a new building.

The renovation was complicated by strict heritage-protection rules. Builder Florian Ölz said the building was completely gutted and workers found extensive woodworm damage. The project took longer than expected and exceeded costs, but Ölz said he was pleased with the result.

The new residence combines traditional construction with modular building. Ölz said 48 modules were assembled in four days. Most of the accommodation consists of single rooms.

Nicole Ulrich, a student at the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences who moved from Hamburg, lives in a furnished 21-square-metre room costing up to 590 euros a month. She rated the residence 4.5 out of five stars, citing its furnishings, kitchen equipment, communal spaces, Wi-Fi and room cleaning twice a month.