Berne: Migros revitalises market hall

A branch of the electronics retailer Media Markt is currently rented in the Bern market hall, but the store is abandoned. Migros Aare intends to take over the entire space as general tenant.

Migros Aare, the owner Markthalle Cityhof Bern AG and the architectural firm Aebi & Vincent from Bern have developed a concept for the new use, which was presented for the first time at a media conference on February 1, 2017.

The aim is to turn the hall into a meeting place again. To this end, "creative gastronomy concepts" are to be established on the 2,300 square meters of floor space, according to those responsible for the project. Around 20 restaurants will move into the market hall. According to initial plans, these will include ten restaurants, three bars and five takeaways. In addition, three flexible areas are to be reserved for changing pop-up gastronomy concepts. A total of around 1,000 seats will be available.

Market-like gastro concepts

According to Migros Aare, concepts are planned that create a market-like atmosphere, for example with open kitchens where food is prepared right in front of the guests. Craft businesses such as a brewery and a bakery are also planned.

At the moment, no contracts have been signed with tenants, Migros says. However, the company is in contact with potential tenants. "Our goal is to establish the market hall first and foremost as a high-quality platform for local and identity-creating gastronomy providers," says Anton Gäumann, Managing Director of Migros Aare.

Migros itself will remain in the background in the new market hall. As Gäumann says, there will be no Migros restaurant or Migros take-away. "Also not an issue are offshoots of our Cha chà, L'Osteria or The Beef Burger gastronomy chains or of any other gastronomy concept of a Migros cooperative, such as the Chickeria of Migros Ostschweiz." Since there will be no stores in the new market hall, a Migros supermarket, a specialty market or any other retail brand of the Migros Group are also not up for discussion.

Contract until 2023 with option to extend

Under the leadership of Migros Aare, the building application is to be submitted as early as mid-February 2017. It envisages a net floor area of 3,550 sqm and a usable floor area of 2,324 sqm in the future new market hall. Gäumann expects to receive the building permit in April 2017. Then the contract with Media Markt is to be replaced and the new contract with Markthalle Cityhof Bern AG signed. On that date, the Media Markt store will close. The contract between Migros Aare and Markthalle Cityhof Bern AG will run until 2023 with an option to extend.

The next steps will then be to draw up the detailed utilization and operating concept, conclude the rental agreements with the catering businesses and, in parallel, carry out the interior work. Migros Aare expects investments of around eight million CHF for the conversion and interior work. The new market hall could then be opened at the beginning of 2018.