HRS presents alternative for project Riva in Arbon
The controversial Riva high-rise project by HRS Real Estate in Arbon is to be decided at the ballot box. HRS has now announced what it intends to build in the event of a rejection: a condominium development.
HRS Real Estate has been planning the demolition of the vacant Metropol Hotel on the shores of Lake Constance in Arbon (TG) for several years in order to realize an ambitious new construction project there: Two residential towers with a maximum height of 43 meters and 13 floors each are to be built on a common base level with restaurant, bar and hall. Apartments and hotel rooms are planned in the two high-rise buildings.
The project is highly controversial: While the city council welcomes the project, many residents oppose it, and the "IG Seeufer ohne Hochhäuser" has successfully filed a referendum against the design plan. The city council wants to put this to the vote next year, when a revision of the local planning, which is linked to the content of the Riva project, will also be put to the ballot.
Project Riva or a private residential neighborhood?
Should the Arbon electorate reject the Riva project, HRS intends to realize an alternative project. According to the real estate company, an official building application has already been submitted. It is the owner of the site. A residential development with four full floors and an attic floor is to be built, providing space for a total of 48 condominiums. There will be no public use as in the Riva project, HRS clarifies: "No gastronomy, no halls, no meeting rooms, no hotel rooms and no public use of the park," the real estate company writes in a statement.
However, the Riva project is still favored and will also be implemented, HRS states. However, they want to present an alternative project at an early stage "in order to create clarity on all sides and to avoid unrealistic discussions about what could be built on the site of the former Metropol Hotel, in what form and with what use in the event that the Riva is rejected". It is important to the company to use the plot on the lakeshore for a new development as soon as possible: "HRS is not willing to wait another ten years until something new is built at this special location," the statement continues. (ah)
