Understanding the studio numbers at Sint-Jacobsplein 21 and deciding which Studio Location Suits You Best?
One of the questions we receive regularly is:
“Which studio should I choose — front or back, and which floor?”
There is no single “best” studio. The different positions have different characteristics, and your personal preference matters.
To make the choice easier, here is how our studio numbering works.
How to read the studio number
The first digit indicates the floor:
- 0 = ground floor
- 1 = first floor
- 2 = second floor
- 3 = third floor
There is an elevator, so living on a higher floor does not mean having to use the stairs every day.
The last digit indicates the position within the building:
| Studio numbers ending in | Position | Main orientation |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 2 or 6 | Back side | Towards the rear gardens |
| 3, 4 or 5 | Front side | Towards Sint-Jacobsplein |
The building is situated on the western side of Sint-Jacobsplein, with the front façade looking approximately east towards the square. The rear therefore faces approximately west.
Front-side studios — 3, 4 and 5
Front = Sint-Jacobsplein side
The front studios look towards Sint-Jacobsplein, giving you a more urban view and a stronger connection with the square and the city.
The front orientation is approximately east / east-southeast, which means these studios generally benefit from morning sunlight. As the sun moves westward during the day, direct sunlight gradually moves away from the front façade.
Advantages
🌅 Morning light
If you like waking up with natural light, the front orientation can be a nice advantage. The rooms generally receive their strongest direct sunlight earlier in the day.
🏙️ Urban view
You look out over Sint-Jacobsplein rather than towards the rear gardens. You see the square, trees, people and the daily life of Leuven.
☀️ Bright mornings
Particularly attractive if you tend to study or work in your studio during the morning.
👀 More of the Leuven atmosphere
The front gives you a stronger feeling of being in the city rather than looking into a residential backyard.
Things to consider
The front side is also the more urban side.
Sint-Jacobsplein is a public square and an important local public-transport point, so there is naturally more activity than at the rear of the building. If you are particularly sensitive to city activity, people, buses or occasional street noise, the back may suit you better.
The front side may suit you if you:
- enjoy morning sunlight;
- like an urban view;
- enjoy seeing some activity outside;
- study mainly during the morning;
- prefer a feeling of being directly connected to the city.
Back-side studios — 1, 2 and 6
Back = rear garden side
The back studios look towards the rear gardens and neighbouring buildings, rather than directly onto Sint-Jacobsplein.
This side faces approximately west / west-southwest, so it generally benefits from afternoon and later-day sunlight.
Advantages
🌿 More sheltered atmosphere
The rear looks away from the public square and has a more residential character.
☀️ Afternoon sunlight
If you are at university during the morning and return to your studio in the afternoon, this orientation can be particularly attractive. You may still have direct sunlight when you come home.
📚 Good for afternoon/evening study
The natural-light pattern works well for students whose main time in the studio is later in the day.
😌 Generally less directly exposed to the square
There is less direct interaction with the activity on Sint-Jacobsplein.
Things to consider
The rear does not give you the same open urban view as the front. Your view is more towards gardens and the surrounding residential environment.
Because the rear receives afternoon sun, it can also feel brighter and warmer later in the day, particularly during sunny summer periods.
The back side may suit you if you:
- prefer a more sheltered and residential outlook;
- enjoy afternoon or evening sunlight;
- are often away at university in the morning;
- mainly study or relax in your studio later in the day;
- prefer less direct exposure to the activity on the square.
What about the floor?
The position within the building is only one part of the choice. The floor also makes a difference.
Ground floor — 0002 and 0003
Our ground-floor studios are located at the back of the building.
These are somewhat different from the studios on the upper floors because of their immediate connection with the rear outdoor area.
Studio 0002 and studio 0003 are therefore particularly interesting if easy access and proximity to the outside are important to you.
At the same time, a ground-floor studio naturally has less height and privacy than an upper-floor studio, and the view is more immediate rather than overlooking the surroundings.
Studio 0003 is also one of the larger studios in the building.
First floor
The first floor can be a good middle ground.
You are above ground level, while still being relatively close to the entrance. You get more separation from the outdoor level without going very high.
This can be attractive if you want a little more privacy and elevation but do not particularly care about being on the highest floor.
Second floor
The second floor gives you a higher viewpoint and more separation from street level.
You are high enough to enjoy a more open outlook while still being close enough to the building’s everyday environment.
For many students, this is a very comfortable compromise between accessibility, view and privacy.
Third floor
The highest studios offer the greatest elevation.
The higher you go, the more open the outlook generally becomes, and you are further removed from activity immediately at street level.
The trade-off is simply that you are further from ground level — although, importantly, the building has an elevator.
So which position should you choose?
There is no universal winner. Think about when you are normally in your studio and what kind of outlook you prefer.
| If you prefer… | You may prefer… |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Morning sunlight | Front |
| ☀️ Afternoon/evening sunlight | Back |
| 🏙️ Urban view | Front |
| 🌿 Rear gardens / more sheltered outlook | Back |
| 🚶 Easy access to ground level | Lower floor |
| 👀 More elevation and privacy | Higher floor |
| 📚 Studying mainly in the morning | Front |
| 📚 Studying mainly in the afternoon/evening | Back |
| 🌳 Immediate connection with the rear outdoor area | Ground-floor back studio |
| 🏙️ Feeling connected to Leuven city life | Front |
A simple way to decide
Choose FRONT if you think:
“I like morning light, an urban view and seeing Leuven around me.”
Choose BACK if you think:
“I prefer a more sheltered outlook and would rather have sunlight when I come home in the afternoon.”
Choose a LOWER FLOOR if you think:
“Easy access and being closer to the entrance/outside matter to me.”
Choose a HIGHER FLOOR if you think:
“I value elevation, privacy and a more open view.”
One important point: there is no bad side
We sometimes receive questions as if one orientation is objectively better than the other. It isn’t.
The front and back studios simply offer a different experience.
The front gives you more city and morning light.
The back gives you more of a sheltered outlook and afternoon light.
And the floor adds another layer to that choice.
That is precisely why we explain the studio numbering before you choose: you can select the type of environment that fits your own lifestyle rather than simply choosing a studio number at random.
All studios remain part of the same building concept, with private bathroom, private kitchenette, furniture and the same basic level of comfort. The main difference here is really about position, orientation, light, outlook and floor level.
Tip: If you are unsure which position suits you, tell us whether you are more interested in morning or afternoon sun, quietness or city view, and a lower or higher floor. We can then explain which available studio is likely to fit your preferences best.