Zurich: Herzog & de Meuron to build at Paradeplatz
The UBS building on Zurich's Paradeplatz is to be renovated from fall 2021. Herzog & de Meuron are responsible for the renovation; Implenia will be responsible for the execution.
UBS is planning to renovate and reconstruct its building on Paradeplatz. The construction measures are necessary because the building of the former banking association was last renovated 25 years ago and, among other things, earthquake safety needs to be improved. In addition, the room layout in the UBS complex, which consists of four buildings joined together and an inner courtyard, is inefficient: instead of the current 850 employees, around 1,200 will be housed at Paradeplatz after the conversion.
Implenia is to carry out the conversion and extension work. According to Implenia, the conclusion of the contract was preceded by a one-year process as part of an overall performance competition. After the refurbishment, additional space will be available for hybrid and partly public use, in addition to workplaces. The building is being constructed according to plans by the Basel-based architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron.
"Roland Rohn's original building was characterized by an interplay of an austere, repetitive exterior with soft, sculptural elements. With the renovation, the special historical character, where the rational and the sculptural went together, is restored in a contemporary way," says Pierre de Meuron of Herzog & de Meuron, Founding Partner of the architecture firm and project partner.
During the conversion, the listed façade from the 1950s is to be preserved. The building will be opened up towards Paradeplatz and Bärengasse. While the first floor and the future green courtyard will be open to the public - stores, restaurants, galleries and pop-ups are envisaged as uses - UBS will continue to occupy the floors above, with more open spaces instead of individual offices. A pavilion with a public restaurant could be built on the roof.
The rehabilitated building will meet the highest standards for sustainability, aesthetics and historic preservation. The refurbished building is expected to achieve Leed Platinum certification. According to the information provided, the building application will be submitted next March, construction is scheduled to start at the end of 2021, and the building will open at the end of 2024. There are no official details on the investment volume, but the market is reporting costs of around CHF 200 million. (bw)
