Kongresshaus and Tonhalle in Zurich to be renovated by 2020
The two listed buildings Tonhalle and Kongresshaus in Zurich are to be extensively renovated and adapted to today's needs and requirements by 2020. This is the plan of the Zurich City Council. It is proposing a total expenditure of 166.65 million Swiss francs for the renovation, conversion and temporary Tonhalle building, and 72.8 million Swiss francs for the reorganization (including debt relief) of the current sponsorship.
The total costs for the conversion of the Tonhalle and the Kongresshaus as well as the reorganization of the sponsorship thus amount to 239.45 million Swiss francs. For the cost-covering management of the Kongresshaus and Tonhalle, the city is to make an annual contribution of no more than CHF 5.4 million in the future. In return, the property in a prime location on Lake Zurich will be transferred to the ownership of the city. Subject to the approval of the proposal by the municipal council and the electorate, the repair and conversion work is to begin in July 2017. The reopening is planned for August 2020. The voters of the city of Zurich are expected to be able to express their opinion on the proposal in June 2016.
The renovation and reconstruction of the Kongresshaus and Tonhalle will enable congresses with up to 2,500 participants to be held in the future. The removal of the panorama hall on the upper floor will give visitors to the Kongresshaus and Tonhalle an unobstructed view of the lake and the Alps. A public restaurant with a terrace is planned for the freed-up space, which will also offer "the population a new attractive inner-city place to linger," writes the city council. However, the city council does not want to build a provisional congress center during the construction work. (mr)
