DKK 10 million for new guest accommodation

Wednesday 07 Sep 16

by Katrine Krogh-Jeppesen

Contact

Claus Nielsen

+45 45 25 10 02

Otto Mønsted Foundation

The donation marked the 100-year anniversary of Otto Mønsted’s death. Towards the end of the 19th century, Otto Mønsted founded a business empire best known for OMA margarine. He knew how to combine trade and technology, and at the time of his death, he was the richest man in Denmark. In 1934, his assets were invested in the Otto Mønsted Foundation, which has since donated money to promote academic achievement. Otto Mønsted Foundation’s main objective is to contribute to the development of Danish trade and industry.

Otto Mønsted Foundation has made an extraordinary donation of DKK 10 million (EUR 135,000 ) to construct two new buildings with guest accommodation close to DTU’s campus in Lyngby. Construction is expected to be completed as early as 2017.

DTU wants to build more guest accommodation in order to attract foreign lecturers and researchers as part of the University’s global knowledge sharing. The guest accommodation will be constructed at Landmålervej in Hjortekær—a site with existing guest accommodation.

“As an international elite university, DTU attracts many researchers from abroad, and understandably there is a great demand for guest accommodation. Through a policy of gradual expansion, DTU wants to create a guest accommodation environment with an attractive location close to DTU with views of Dyrehaven animal park,” says Executive Vice President, University Director Claus Nielsen.

The first stage—Building A with 3 apartments—was constructed in 2011, and with the help of the new donation, the second stage—namely Buildings B1 and B2—can get underway.

“Two buildings—each with two apartments that can be divided into eight tenancies—will be built. Each apartment is designed so that the two rooms can also be rented out independently. This degree of flexibility makes the homes attractive to families and individuals,” explains Head of CAS client, Nils Møller.

Construction is expected to commence in April 2017 and be completed by the summer of that year. The total budget donated by Otto Mønsted Foundation is DKK 10 million, including VAT. At the award ceremony on Monday 5 September, Otto Mønsted Foundation chairman Professor Knut Conradsen presented the donation of DKK 10 million to Executive Vice President, University Director Claus Nielsen from DTU.

The Chairman of Otto Mønsted Foundation, Professor Knut Conradsen (right), presented the donation of DKK 10 million to Executive Vice President, University Director Claus Nielsen from DTU (second from the right). Present at the ceremony were also Niels Kjeldsen (number two from the left), chairman of the Board of Directors of CBS’ Academic Housing, and Charlotte Aller, Director of CBS Academic Housing (left). (Photo: Jacob Carlsen).