St.Gallen: Helvetia inaugurates extension building
Helvetia opened its West extension at its headquarters in St.Gallen on August 24. The building, which rests on two cones, provides around 130 new office workplaces.
The new building at Helvetia's headquarters on Girtannersberg in St.Gallen marks the completion of a long-standing project by Herzog & de Meuron. Planning for the extension was initiated as early as 1989. The insurer commissioned the then little-known Basel-based architectural firm with the planning in order to create space for future growth.
Construction of the first three wings, built around the existing Kreuzbau, took place between 2000 and 2004. The north wing is now used by the neighboring university. The west extension, which has now been opened, was built within two and a half years.
"The four new building wings complement the existing Kreuzbau, creating a complex and condensed overall form that subtly interweaves with the park-like surroundings without dominating them," Herzog & de Meuron describe the project.
Helvetia is also expanding its location in Basel. With the project "Helvetia Campus Basel", the renovation and expansion of the headquarters with around 350 new office workplaces is planned at the St.Alban-Anlage. This project is also being realized with Herzog & de Meuron.
