Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for JFK Sud Zone A Kirchberg Housing Project

On Tuesday 1 July 2025, the groundbreaking ceremony for the "JFK Sud Zone A" project in Luxembourg-Kirchberg took place in the presence of Luxembourg's Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Yuriko Backes, the Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning, Claude Meisch, the Director of the Fonds Kirchberg, Marc Widong, and representatives from Immobel Luxembourg and Prefalux Group.

Developed by the Fonds d'Urbanisation et d'Aménagement du Plateau de Kirchberg (FUAK; Fonds Kirchberg), in partnership with the public developer, the Société Nationale des Habitations à Bon Marché (SNHBM), the JFK Sud A project is entering its concrete phase. As reported by the Fonds Kirchberg and the respective ministries, the project's "Zone A", located in the European Quarter between Avenue John F. Kennedy and Rue du Fort Thüngen, plans to create a residential complex of 245 housing units in a neighbourhood combining affordable and open-market housing, soft mobility and a pleasant urban setting with ground-floor retail. Construction on the project has been underway since 2025 and the housing units will be delivered in stages between 2027 and 2028.

Located between the European Quarter, Avenue John F. Kennedy, Kirchberg's main artery, and the Weimershof district, this first phase of the JFK Sud project is said to enrich the urban fabric of the Kirchberg plateau over a length of more than 400 metres. This new district reportedly asserts its pivotal role between the European institutions, commercial spaces, new housing and existing residential neighbourhoods.

The project involves the construction of 245 housing units, spread across buildings and townhouses of various types. The offer will range from one-bedroom units to family homes, in a setting designed to combine quality of life, accessibility and community use. On the ground floor, the neighbourhood will house shops, offices and services, which are expected to enhance the public space and the liveliness of Avenue John F. Kennedy, while complementing the surrounding commercial offer. The project also offers various shared spaces, accessible to all residents.

Construction on the project's Zone A began in March 2025. Delivery of the units will be phased in 2027, with full completion scheduled for 2028. The total financial contribution from the Luxembourg State to the construction of affordable housing amounts to €35 million.

"The JFK Sud - Zone A project is part of a sustainable urban development dynamic in the heart of the Kirchberg plateau, one of Luxembourg's main economic hubs," said Minister Meisch. "It actively contributes to the creation of housing, particularly affordable housing, in a strategic neighbourhood. It promotes proximity between living and working spaces, strengthens urban diversity by integrating different housing types and encouraging social diversity."

At the intersection of a dense frontage along Avenue John F. Kennedy and the single-family homes of the Weimershof district, JFK Sud A must create a space between two very different types of volume, according to the authorities. Consequently, the organisation of the buildings follows a gradation in height, thus ensuring a smooth transition between two urban scales, which is said to make it unique. The perpendicular layout of the buildings relative to Avenue John F. Kennedy also allows sunlight to penetrate between the buildings, providing a partially sunny south side of the avenue, as well as a view of the greenery behind for passersby from the Kennedy public space.

Interior green courtyards, shared rooftops and indoor meeting spaces will complete this building complex, creating a living environment that is expected to foster interaction and collective use. A pedestrian greenway crosses the neighbourhood and facilitates connections to neighbouring districts. The active ground floors reportedly enhance daily activity and ensure urban continuity with the surrounding tertiary functions.

The authorities added that JFK Sud, located in the immediate vicinity of the "Parlement européen" (European Parliament) tram stop, benefits from optimal transport links, providing direct connections to the city centre, the central station and the airport in fifteen to 20 minutes. The district favours sustainable mobility through a network of pedestrian paths and hundreds of bicycle spaces and concentrated underground parking. This configuration frees up public space for non-motorised use and is expected to enhance quality of life.

The authorities noted that the neighbourhood is also near various sports (Coque), cultural (MUDAM, Philharmonie) and educational (European School, University of Luxembourg campus) facilities. European institutions, banking institutions and two major audit firms are also minutes away.

"The JFK Sud Zone A project embodies a modern approach to urban planning: accessible, well-connected and focused on sustainable mobility. By rethinking public space to serve residents, we are taking another concrete step toward a more pleasant, more fluid and environmentally friendly living environment," stated Minister Backes.

From an environmental perspective, the project incorporates sustainable resource management measures, such as rainwater harvesting in basins along the avenue, and is expected to meet high energy performance standards. The green roofs and interior courtyards contribute to thermal regulation, natural water management and the visual quality of the neighbourhood, according to the authorities.

Part of Kirchberg's overall development strategy, JFK Sud is said to complement major ongoing projects such as Kiem2050, Grünewald and Kuebebierg (accommodating thousands of new residents). This project is described as a key link in Kirchberg's evolution towards a complete, connected and sustainable district.