Welcome to Pireus – AF Bostäder’s first Nordic Swan-labelled student housing area!

Pireus gets its name from the Greek port outside Athens. Lund students’ own Pireus welcomes residents and visitors to both the new housing along Kämnärsvägen and to Campuskilen, a green thoroughfare area that links together the quarters and offers everything from an outer gym and boule court to spaces for barbecues and socialising.

“Pireus is our first Nordic Swan-labelled housing area,” says Martin Jacobsson, Property Development Manager at AF Bostäder. “The Swan is the official environmental certification of the Nordic countries, and the requirements are stringent. The certification covers the entire construction process and is based on a life-cycle perspective. Consideration is given to low energy usage, high environmental and health requirements for materials and products, a good indoor environment, low emissions and a quality-assured construction process.”

Pireus consists of five varied buildings, three of which are eight storeys high, with white and black sheet metal facades and playfully placed drainpipes. The 223 student apartments have space for up to 300 students. There are one-bedroom apartments for those who want to live on their own and larger apartments ideal for those who prefer to share with 1-2 friends. The bedrooms in these apartments for friends have space for both a bed and a study place. The location is in close proximity to Lund University’s Faculty of Engineering (LTH) and School of Economics and Management, and all the other departments at the university are within easy cycling distance. The rent includes electricity, hot water, detergent, storage space, a personal bicycle parking space under cover and 1 Gb internet.

“When you approach Kämnärsrätten, you already feel Pireus welcoming you,” says Therese Månsson, Property Development Project Manager at AF Bostäder. “The quarter is open and living, designed for social activities, with a cosy, undulating and pleasantly furnished courtyard environment. There are many trees and a lot of greenery, a lovely pergola, space for sport and games, two study rooms and access to a cycle repair room. At Pireus, a lot of consideration has been given to the students’ personal sphere, and we have given a little extra thought to making it easy to find calm and seclusion, both among the screened-off places in the courtyard and in their own accommodation, which is designed to provide good conditions for studying and restful nights.”

The student move-in during 2023 was a two-stage process: the first three buildings (115 apartments) in May and the remaining two buildings (108 apartments) in September, just before the official inauguration.

“There is nothing more gratifying than receiving eager students who are moving in,” says Therese Månsson. “We have been there on both occasions and answered questions, helped the tenants and coordinated the traffic, among other things by offering tips on how to reverse with a trailer. Being on site on the first day gives both students and parent a great sense of security, and everyone can get answers immediately if there are queries about laundry rooms, storage facilities and so on. The move-in day is also a good opportunity for us to get to know our tenants and for them to get to know their new neighbours. We give out goodie bags and offer drinks and refreshments to increase the sense of community on site. It is organised chaos with a fantastic great atmosphere.”

“Pireus had a pleasant inauguration at the end of August with, among others, Törnblom, Municipal Commissioner and 1st Vice-Chair of the Municipal Assembly in attendance. We had the chance to show people the housing, its different formats and communal spaces, and also offer both curious students and invited guests something to eat,” says Martin Jacobsson.