Zurich: Mobimo presents plans for congress center
The people of Zurich have decided not to build a new congress center, but to renovate the Kongresshaus and Tonhalle am See. Nevertheless, Mobimo and IG Kongress-Stadt Zürich have now presented plans for a congress center in downtown Zurich. According to a business plan drawn up by Mobimo as the initiating investor, a congress center with hotel at the Carparkplatz location could be operated economically.
According to a joint statement from Mobimo and IG Kongress-Stadt Zürich, current plans include a congress center for meetings with up to 3,000 attendees and additional space for various events. In addition, a four-star congress hotel with at least 250 rooms and a two-star design hotel with around 300 rooms are planned. In addition, there will be further space for "contemporary urban use" - residential forms are also conceivable - as well as a small amount of retail space. According to the current planning status, the presumed investment volume amounts to around CHF 250 million.
In mid-2016, Mobimo had agreed to evaluate the realization of a new congress center in cooperation with IG Kongress-Stadt Zürich and to develop the corresponding planning and decision-making basis for the municipal authorities.
According to Mobimo, it shares the view of universities, the hotel industry, tourism and business that a congress center with an international appeal would be an economic and urban enrichment for Zurich.
The business plan for the congress center is to be discussed in the near future primarily with the interested parties and organizations and not least with representatives of Kreis 5. The project can only be planned and realized with the approval of the city as landowner. The corresponding decision in principle by the city council is expected at the end of the year. (ah)
