Plans for the revitalization of the Sonnenberg site become more concrete
The municipality of Seelisberg and the owner Halter have signed a letter of intent, thus laying the foundation for the revitalization of the prominent property.
One of Switzerland's most prominent properties, the former headquarters of the Maharishi Foundation above the Rütli in Seelisberg, is being revitalized. What this revitalization will look like has now been defined in a declaration of intent by the canton of Uri, the municipality of Seelisberg and the developer Halter.
According to Halter, the aim is to create an economically viable project "that does justice to the historical value of the site, its architectural history and the goals of landscape, heritage and monument protection and offers attractive development prospects for the municipality and the canton."
Hotel and residential uses are planned
Specifically, existing buildings are to be refurbished and new structures are to be built. According to Halter's press release, the plan is to use the site as a hotel for a broad target audience. This will be supplemented by various residential uses.
In the course of the year, the further foundations for the site development are to be drawn up, with landscape protection and monument preservation, but also local history, architecture and landscape architecture, operation and mobility playing a role. "The aim is to complete the special use planning in 2024 and to be able to submit the building application by the end of 2025," says Halter.
Municipality and canton support the plans
Judith Durrer, president of the municipality of Seelisberg, says: "We expect great infrastructural and economic added value for the existing and future population of our municipality from the development of the Sonnenberg site." Daniel Furrer, member of the cantonal government of Uri, adds that the canton supports the further development of the Sonnenberg: "Along with Flüelen and Seedorf, Seelisberg is an important contributor to tourism on the Lake of Uri, and the Sonneberg site, in addition to its cultural-historical and spatial significance, has the potential to be a central element in the development of tourism in Seelisberg."
In November last year, it was announced that Halter had acquired the complex of buildings surrounding the Grand Hotel Sonnenberg and the Kulm spa hotel, which was in serious need of renovation, with the aim of revitalizing it and reviving the complex's historic identity. At the time, the company put the investment volume at CHF 200 million. (ah)
