Basel: Start of construction for the Volta Ost project
After years of delay, construction work on Volta East has begun with a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony. The project comprises more than 100 new apartments.
Between Elsässerstrasse and Voltastrasse, the canton of Basel-Stadt is building a residential and commercial building. After several years of delay due to an objection that went all the way to the federal courts, the official groundbreaking ceremony on March 17, 2023 marked the start of construction work on the project, which will also create a new meeting place with a variety of uses for the neighborhood at Voltaplatz.
According to the city of Basel, the development, which consists of various building structures, will offer 104 neighborhood and social housing units in the future as part of the 1000+ housing program.
A narrow ten-story building and a flatter connecting building are planned on Elsässerstrasse, and another low-rise building is planned against the district heating power plant, providing space for the St. Johann daycare center and student housing (53 units). The different buildings will be connected by the covered hall, which will be open to the public. By setting back the main building, a small square will be created that can be used for gastronomic purposes. (bw)
