Arbon: History Museum moves into the Saurer WerkZwei

The St. Galler Tagblatt reports that the headquarters of the Historical Museum of the Canton of Thurgau will in future be in Arbon. According to current plans, the administration will move into its offices in the former weaving machine hall of the Saurer company, which covers an area of around 7,000 square metres. In addition, according to regional media, the canton wants to set up its history museum there as a "world of experience with international appeal". According to the canton, the new museum in the old industrial hall, planned as a place of education and experience, will cost around CHF 45 million, attract 100,000 international visitors a year and generate annual sales of CHF 4 million.

An architectural competition for the conversion of the former weaving machine hall is planned for the coming year. According to Roland Ledergerber, deputy cantonal architect, it represents "industrial architecture that creates identity in the middle of a developed urban area". In 2024, a message is to be submitted to the Grand Council, after which the major project will be put to the vote.

HRS Real Estate AG is developing the "Saurer WerkZwei Areal" as a new urban district on the Saurer site, which covers a good 200,000 sqm. A good half of the area has already been converted. A residential building on Hamelplatz has recently been completed. A residential and commercial building is currently under construction on Saurerplatz, and construction of a hotel with apartments for long-term users is scheduled to begin this year. (a.o.)