In the anniversary year marking its fifth year of existence, the University of Technology Nuremberg (UTN) is underscoring its dynamic development: construction is beginning on five new buildings, further shaping the future UTN campus. During a major groundbreaking ceremony held on campus, UTN celebrated the start of construction for its founding buildings and an additional modular building in the presence of Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder, Bavarian Science Minister Markus Blume, Bavarian Construction Minister Christian Bernreiter, and Nuremberg’s Lord Mayor Marcus König.
The event marked the launch of several construction projects on the UTN campus. At the same time, key infrastructure and site development measures are already underway, which will also support additional future buildings. On Friday, the groundbreaking ceremony celebrated the start of construction for the so-called Learning Hub on Dr.-Luise-Herzberg-Straße in the southern part of the campus and for four so-called founding buildings in the northern part of the site. Together, these five buildings represent further milestones in the development of the new campus in the Lichtenreuth district.
With the Learning Hub, UTN is responding to its rapid growth and the increasing demand for teaching and learning spaces. The building will include so-called Active Learning Classrooms, group work rooms, open communication areas, a library learning center, a cafeteria, and flexible study spaces. The Learning Hub is being constructed in close proximity to the university’s two existing buildings: Cube One, which already houses UTN’s executive board and administration, and a neighboring modular building currently used temporarily by the Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm. UTN is implementing the Learning Hub as its first construction project under its own responsibility, with completion planned for the winter semester 2027/28.
At the same time, four founding buildings are being constructed in the northern part of the campus. Featuring modern teaching, learning, and working spaces, offices for the Executive Board and the departments, laboratories, workshops, and central facilities, these buildings will provide the spatial foundation for excellent research, innovative teaching formats, transfer activities, student life, and new forms of collaboration. Completion of the four founding buildings, which are being realized under the responsibility of the State Building Authority Erlangen-Nuremberg, is planned for the winter semester 2029/30.
The groundbreaking ceremony during the anniversary year highlights the momentum of UTN’s development. The new buildings will shape the campus into a modern, sustainable, and interdisciplinary center for science and innovation, strengthening UTN’s regional roots while supporting its path toward becoming an internationally excellent university of technology. Once fully developed, UTN will provide space for up to 6,000 students, up to 200 professors, and up to 1,800 employees. In the long term, the completed campus will cover an area of 37 hectares.
Statements on the Groundbreaking Ceremony
Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder: “Anyone who thinks about tomorrow helps shape the future for generations to come. The expansion of the University of Technology Nuremberg is a true project for the future — with five new buildings, investments totaling 660 million euros, and the first newly founded university in Bavaria since 1978. UTN focuses on artificial intelligence and represents the university of tomorrow. It is part of a broader vision: transforming Bavaria into a true technology powerhouse with new ideas, jobs, and opportunities for young people. In global competition, we can only succeed if we remain at the forefront of research, innovation, and technology. This is how we secure competitiveness, uphold our values, and strengthen democracy. That is why, since 2018, we have invested seven billion euros through the Hightech Agenda in technologies such as AI, robotics, aerospace, and life sciences. Bavaria is already a true tech giant, with a strong start-up ecosystem and more supercomputers than anywhere else in Germany. Only those who respond quickly and innovatively to the challenges of our time can secure the future.”
Bavarian Science Minister Markus Blume: “A fivefold groundbreaking ceremony for UTN’s fifth anniversary — a birthday gift in a class of its own! UTN is a beacon for Nuremberg, Bavaria, and all of Germany. As Germany’s first AI university, with new structures and visionary ideas for teaching and research, it serves as a role model for the university of the future. The rapid growth of UTN is now becoming physically visible through the simultaneous construction of five new buildings. We are investing around 660 million euros in this first development phase. This makes one thing clear: Bavaria is investing in and building for science and research, because they are the foundation of future economic strength and prosperity. My sincere thanks go to Prof. Dr. Michael Huth for his outstanding work as Founding President — he truly embodies the UTN spirit.”
Bavarian Construction Minister Christian Bernreiter: “This major project demonstrates the strength and effectiveness of Bavaria’s public construction administration: within just a few years, we are creating one of the most modern places to study in the state virtually from scratch, with nearly 18,000 square meters of usable space in the first development phase alone. The sustainable construction approach and energy concept, featuring the nearly 50-meter-high large-scale thermal storage tower as its centerpiece, once again show that Bavaria is a land of innovation.”
Nuremberg’s Lord Mayor Marcus König: “Today’s groundbreaking ceremony impressively demonstrates the speed and determination with which the University of Technology Nuremberg is taking shape. On a site that remained unused for many years, one of Germany’s most modern universities is now emerging step by step – a place defined by pioneering spirit, innovation, and confidence in the future. UTN is already a flagship project for Nuremberg and the entire region: it strengthens our position as a center for science and business, brings together talented minds from around the world, and will further enhance the visibility and appeal of our city in the years to come. I would like to thank the Free State of Bavaria for this bold decision, which will shape Nuremberg’s future.”
UTN Founding President Prof. Michael Huth: “With construction beginning on five buildings, the further development of UTN and its focus on AI is progressing rapidly. These new spaces and facilities will enable student life, new degree programs, the expansion of internationally excellent research, and the establishment of the university’s first three departments, the Executive Board, and the administration on campus. We would like to thank everyone involved for their commitment and the excellent collaboration in realizing these construction projects and today’s ceremony. My thanks also go to the Bavarian State Government and the Bavarian Parliament for supporting this unique future-oriented project in Bavaria and Germany.”
Tanja Nachtigall, Head of Division at the State Building Authority Erlangen-Nuremberg: “With today’s groundbreaking ceremony, we are beginning the complex construction phase of the UTN project. A campus with a high quality of stay is taking shape, characterized by sustainable, flexible, and architecturally appealing buildings combined with an innovative and efficient energy concept.”
The University of Technology Nuremberg (UTN), founded in 2021, is the first newly established public university in Bavaria since 1978. The UTN is a living laboratory building a university for the age of AI and the rapidly advancing changes in technology, business and society. The UTN strives to become a strong regional force in research, teaching and transfer and an internationally leading university of the 21st century with regional roots and a global outlook.
The 37-hectare, sustainable UTN campus will form the center of the new Lichtenreuth district in Nuremberg, close to the historic city center. Around 6,000 students, 200 professors and at least 2,000 employees will study and work there. Study programs will integrate aspects of technology, liberal arts, social sciences and natural sciences to ideally prepare students for the interdisciplinary requirements of the new world of work.
In the anniversary year marking its fifth year of existence, the University of Technology Nuremberg (UTN) is underscoring its dynamic development: construction is beginning on five new buildings, further shaping the future UTN campus. During a major groundbreaking ceremony held on campus, UTN celebrated the start of construction for its founding buildings and an additional modular building in the presence of Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder, Bavarian Science Minister Markus Blume, Bavarian Construction Minister Christian Bernreiter, and Nuremberg’s Lord Mayor Marcus König.
The event marked the launch of several construction projects on the UTN campus. At the same time, key infrastructure and site development measures are already underway, which will also support additional future buildings. On Friday, the groundbreaking ceremony celebrated the start of construction for the so-called Learning Hub on Dr.-Luise-Herzberg-Straße in the southern part of the campus and for four so-called founding buildings in the northern part of the site. Together, these five buildings represent further milestones in the development of the new campus in the Lichtenreuth district.
With the Learning Hub, UTN is responding to its rapid growth and the increasing demand for teaching and learning spaces. The building will include so-called Active Learning Classrooms, group work rooms, open communication areas, a library learning center, a cafeteria, and flexible study spaces. The Learning Hub is being constructed in close proximity to the university’s two existing buildings: Cube One, which already houses UTN’s executive board and administration, and a neighboring modular building currently used temporarily by the Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm. UTN is implementing the Learning Hub as its first construction project under its own responsibility, with completion planned for the winter semester 2027/28.
At the same time, four founding buildings are being constructed in the northern part of the campus. Featuring modern teaching, learning, and working spaces, offices for the Executive Board and the departments, laboratories, workshops, and central facilities, these buildings will provide the spatial foundation for excellent research, innovative teaching formats, transfer activities, student life, and new forms of collaboration. Completion of the four founding buildings, which are being realized under the responsibility of the State Building Authority Erlangen-Nuremberg, is planned for the winter semester 2029/30.
The groundbreaking ceremony during the anniversary year highlights the momentum of UTN’s development. The new buildings will shape the campus into a modern, sustainable, and interdisciplinary center for science and innovation, strengthening UTN’s regional roots while supporting its path toward becoming an internationally excellent university of technology. Once fully developed, UTN will provide space for up to 6,000 students, up to 200 professors, and up to 1,800 employees. In the long term, the completed campus will cover an area of 37 hectares.
Statements on the Groundbreaking Ceremony
Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder: “Anyone who thinks about tomorrow helps shape the future for generations to come. The expansion of the University of Technology Nuremberg is a true project for the future — with five new buildings, investments totaling 660 million euros, and the first newly founded university in Bavaria since 1978. UTN focuses on artificial intelligence and represents the university of tomorrow. It is part of a broader vision: transforming Bavaria into a true technology powerhouse with new ideas, jobs, and opportunities for young people. In global competition, we can only succeed if we remain at the forefront of research, innovation, and technology. This is how we secure competitiveness, uphold our values, and strengthen democracy. That is why, since 2018, we have invested seven billion euros through the Hightech Agenda in technologies such as AI, robotics, aerospace, and life sciences. Bavaria is already a true tech giant, with a strong start-up ecosystem and more supercomputers than anywhere else in Germany. Only those who respond quickly and innovatively to the challenges of our time can secure the future.”
Bavarian Science Minister Markus Blume: “A fivefold groundbreaking ceremony for UTN’s fifth anniversary — a birthday gift in a class of its own! UTN is a beacon for Nuremberg, Bavaria, and all of Germany. As Germany’s first AI university, with new structures and visionary ideas for teaching and research, it serves as a role model for the university of the future. The rapid growth of UTN is now becoming physically visible through the simultaneous construction of five new buildings. We are investing around 660 million euros in this first development phase. This makes one thing clear: Bavaria is investing in and building for science and research, because they are the foundation of future economic strength and prosperity. My sincere thanks go to Prof. Dr. Michael Huth for his outstanding work as Founding President — he truly embodies the UTN spirit.”
Bavarian Construction Minister Christian Bernreiter: “This major project demonstrates the strength and effectiveness of Bavaria’s public construction administration: within just a few years, we are creating one of the most modern places to study in the state virtually from scratch, with nearly 18,000 square meters of usable space in the first development phase alone. The sustainable construction approach and energy concept, featuring the nearly 50-meter-high large-scale thermal storage tower as its centerpiece, once again show that Bavaria is a land of innovation.”
Nuremberg’s Lord Mayor Marcus König: “Today’s groundbreaking ceremony impressively demonstrates the speed and determination with which the University of Technology Nuremberg is taking shape. On a site that remained unused for many years, one of Germany’s most modern universities is now emerging step by step – a place defined by pioneering spirit, innovation, and confidence in the future. UTN is already a flagship project for Nuremberg and the entire region: it strengthens our position as a center for science and business, brings together talented minds from around the world, and will further enhance the visibility and appeal of our city in the years to come. I would like to thank the Free State of Bavaria for this bold decision, which will shape Nuremberg’s future.”
UTN Founding President Prof. Michael Huth: “With construction beginning on five buildings, the further development of UTN and its focus on AI is progressing rapidly. These new spaces and facilities will enable student life, new degree programs, the expansion of internationally excellent research, and the establishment of the university’s first three departments, the Executive Board, and the administration on campus. We would like to thank everyone involved for their commitment and the excellent collaboration in realizing these construction projects and today’s ceremony. My thanks also go to the Bavarian State Government and the Bavarian Parliament for supporting this unique future-oriented project in Bavaria and Germany.”
Tanja Nachtigall, Head of Division at the State Building Authority Erlangen-Nuremberg: “With today’s groundbreaking ceremony, we are beginning the complex construction phase of the UTN project. A campus with a high quality of stay is taking shape, characterized by sustainable, flexible, and architecturally appealing buildings combined with an innovative and efficient energy concept.”
Press photos for download:
Virtual Groundbreaking 1 © Uwe Niklas
Virtual Groundbreaking 2 © Uwe Niklas
Dr. Markus Söder speaking at the ceremony © Uwe Niklas
Audience in the festival tent © Uwe Niklas
Eve, the humanoid robot 1 © Uwe Niklas
Eve, the humanoid robot 2 © Uwe Niklas
Further Links
Virtual Campus Tour
About the University of Technology Nuremberg
The University of Technology Nuremberg (UTN), founded in 2021, is the first newly established public university in Bavaria since 1978. The UTN is a living laboratory building a university for the age of AI and the rapidly advancing changes in technology, business and society. The UTN strives to become a strong regional force in research, teaching and transfer and an internationally leading university of the 21st century with regional roots and a global outlook.
The 37-hectare, sustainable UTN campus will form the center of the new Lichtenreuth district in Nuremberg, close to the historic city center. Around 6,000 students, 200 professors and at least 2,000 employees will study and work there. Study programs will integrate aspects of technology, liberal arts, social sciences and natural sciences to ideally prepare students for the interdisciplinary requirements of the new world of work.
Contact
Peter Diehl
Communication Unit
Agnes Pelzl
Communication Unit