300 empty student apartments: an entire building left vacant for three years is to be donated free of charge by China to the capital

It's one of the biggest absurdities of recent years. While the housing crisis is raging in the capital, particularly for students, the House of China, a building capable of welcoming up to 300 students and inaugurated in 2023, has since… remained completely empty. Located in the 14th arrondissement, this building is part of the International University City of Paris. But it seems that as we head into the end of 2026, things are about to change: China has announced it will donate this residence.

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

Une publication partagée par Park Books (@park_books)

Three years of vacancy amid a rising housing crisis

For three years, a massive residence has stood in the heart of the International City, with no one — except security guards — ever setting foot inside. Yet it contains 300 rooms capable of housing students. In Paris, it becomes increasingly difficult for students to find housing each year. On average, the monthly rent for a studio apartment comes to €923. Add to that demand that far exceeds supply. 

But why has this residence remained empty? When questioned by Le Parisien, Blandine Sorbe explains that « the administrative procedures for opening the House of China took longer than expected ». 

La Maison de la Chine à Paris (14e) reste vide en raison d'un blocage administratif entre la France 🇫🇷 et la #Chine 🇨🇳. Ce pavillon flambant neuf de 300 chambres est paralysé par des désaccords sur sa gouvernance et sur l'application de la règle de mixité de la Cité U.

— AsieNews (@AsiaNews_FR) October 27, 2026

The building donation made official but no opening date announced

Things are set to pick up speed in the coming weeks. With this project whose construction cost China 30 million euros, the ambition is also to strengthen exchanges between young Chinese and French generations.

The Chinese embassy notably told the Parisien that "to date, the Chinese project owner has agreed to donate the building. The Chinese side is currently in consultation with the French side regarding the precise terms of the donation and the transfer.