Zurich: Axa project in Stadelhofen takes final hurdle
Axa Winterthur can build its new development at Stadelhofen station in Zurich. The Zurich city council has approved the private design plan.
The "Haus zum Falken" with the Café Mandarin at Stadelhofen station in Zurich will make way for a commercial building with an underground bicycle station. The city council has now cleared the way for Axa Winterthur's project, last summer, the city council already gave the green light.
The insurer acquired the existing "Haus zum Falken" in 2007 and can now have it demolished. The new building project will cost 46 million CHF, 1.5 million of which Axa Winterthur will pay to the city of Zurich as a compensation for added value. This became due because the design plan almost doubles the possible above-ground utilization. The new building was designed by the renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, who also designed the Stadelhofen train station.
Except for the SVP and the AL, all parties approved the project. SVP and AL regretted that the city had removed the "Haus zum Falken" from the inventory of buildings worthy of protection. The building with the traditional café is important for the cityscape, they argued. There was also criticism of the bicycle garage, which will have to be paid for in the future.
