Lucerne: HRS and Mobiliar plan overbuilding on Bundesplatz

The project is being financed by HRS Investment AG in Frauenfeld and Mobiliar Asset Management AG. It will be developed and realized by HRS Real Estate AG as general contractor.

The building and zoning regulations of the city of Lucerne include the area at Bundesplatz as one of the sites for a high-rise building. However, with heights of 32 and 35 meters, the "Luegisland" project will not significantly tower over the neighboring building - it is only two to three stories higher. "The planned building stands out only slightly from its surroundings and has a high urban development quality. It fits in perfectly with the existing neighborhood," says Lucerne's city architect Jürg Rehsteiner.

An architectural competition with ten teams from all over Switzerland was held for the project, which was won by the consortium of Steib & Geschwentner Architekten Zurich and toblergmür Architekten. Martin Kull, CEO of HRS, says: "With the Luegisland project, the architects have achieved a great success: The combination of attractive apartments, shopping facilities, a restaurant including a public green space will be an enrichment for the entire neighborhood." The name Luegisland is based on one of the towers of Lucerne's historic Musegg wall and symbolizes the view. From the apartments, there is a direct view of Mount Pilatus and Lake Lucerne.

The delivery for the stores and the parking spaces are planned underground and should thus relieve the neighborhood. In addition, a pedestrian and bicycle connection can be realized along the tracks. Access has already been arranged with SBB, and negotiations are underway with another landowner. A public green area is also planned.

The next steps are the preparation of the design plan and the building application. Construction work is expected to start in 2019. (ah)