OBSG was founded by Father Charles almost 50 years ago. More than 2.000 international students found their “home away from home” at OBSG.
OBSG residence as we know it today began in the house at n° 498 Kortrijksesteenweg in Ghent, purchased in October 1976.
 
Over the next few years, with the help of family and friends, Father Charles was able to acquire other houses in the street and establish a proper student residence with 34 rooms and 11 flats.
 
The current buildings are old and therefore in need of thorough restructuring. A masterplan was drawn up for a new building project at the same location and has been discussed extensively with the municipal authorities.
 
The new building program consists of several buildings along the street, connected through a large, shared garden. The project includes 52 rooms for single students, 12 flats for couples and families. In addition,  there will be a large study room, meeting and leisure spaces for the OBSG residents. The Club Van Eyck building - with multipurpose hall and chapel - will be maintained.
 
Additionally, two smaller buildings are planned  for other groups of inhabitants: 15 flats for disabled people and an open house for women in vulnerable situations.
 
The entire project will be fossil free, and the new buildings are designed according to sustainable and future-proof practices.

We plan to introduce the building permit file mid-2023 and start the construction works in 2025. During the construction works, which will be finished by the end of 2026, OBSG will be accommodated in another building in Ghent.

We have already secured a large part of the funds needed for the new buildings, but we are planning to launch a fundraising campaign in the next few months to finance the remaining necessary amount.

Stay tuned !