Bernexpo and HRS want to develop exhibition grounds together
Bernexpo Groupe and HRS Real Estate intend to jointly plan the new event hall on the exhibition grounds. A corresponding letter of intent was signed in mid-February.
Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding, Bernexpo and HRS Real Estate will develop a new concept for the use of real estate on the exhibition grounds and, in particular, jointly drive forward the realization of the new BEmotion Base event hall. According to a Bernexpo statement, a utilization concept and an appropriate participation structure in Messepark Bern AG, a subsidiary of Bernexpo Holding, will be developed in the coming months.
Plans to replace the Festhalle on the exhibition grounds with a new event hall have been in the works for some time. In October 2018, however, Bernexpo had temporarily halted planning in order to examine the financing and sponsorship model for the new building project. Subsequently, Bernexpo announced that it had held in-depth talks with potential partners and investors about a possible participation in Messepark Bern and the joint realization of the planned hall. In the end, it was decided to work together with HRS Real Estate on an expanded utilization concept for the entire Messepark site and to establish a suitable sponsorship model for Messepark Bern AG.
The Bernexpo site is one of the largest exhibition centers in Switzerland: it comprises eight exhibition halls in two building complexes with around 40,000 sqm of event space and 100,000 sqm of outdoor area. Martin Kull, owner and CEO of HRS Real Estate, said: "The site and the location are ideal for further development: The exhibition center has excellent transport links, is centrally located and, with the new event hall, offers a lot of potential for additional uses." (ah)
