Sale of Haren Biological Centre has fallen through

The sale of the former Haren Biological Centre to the Freia group of companies has been cancelled. The stumbling block was the high cost of removing asbestos from the complex.

The cancellation of the sale also means the end of the plans to establish a student hotel in the complex. An asbestos survey revealed that the complex will have to be almost entirely dismantled before it can be refurbished as a student hotel. This involves such high costs that Freia and the University of Groningen have decided against implementing the plans for the redevelopment.

The Board of the University of Groningen has concluded that demolition is the only option. This will be organized in consultation with the municipality of Haren.

The University of Groningen’s Biology department moved to its new home in the Zernike complex in Groningen city in 2011. This meant that the University no longer needed the buildings of the Haren Biological Centre. The temporary manager of this real estate, Carex, is presently using the buildings for temporary housing.