St. Gallen: Halter plans quarter with Herzog & de Meuron
In St. Gallen, Halter AG is planning to develop a quarter with a new high-rise building not far from the train station. The Basel office Herzog & de Meuron is on board for the project study.
It concerns the Bogenstrasse site next to Kreuzbleiche, which currently belongs to the two traditional St. Gallen companies Bischoff Textil AG and Brauerei Schützengarten AG. Halter AG has entered into a partnership with them as developer and realizer. It plans to densify the site. The neighboring factory buildings are to be completely preserved and revitalized. According to the plans, the existing gas station and parking lot will become a landscaped public square. The plans call for a mix of residential, work, cultural, commercial and gastronomic uses. Halter has commissioned the Basel-based architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron to conduct a project study in close cooperation with the city of St. Gallen.
The project is intended to examine how the utilization potential at this central location on the edge of the city center can be optimized for living, working, gastronomy and culture. The existing high-rise building, which was renovated a few years ago, and the Bischoff Textil factory buildings will be fully preserved as architectural and textile-industrial witnesses. The factory halls with shed roof will be redeveloped as part of the overall project. A new, park-like public square will be created on the site of the current gas station and private parking lot, which will relate to the Kreuzbleiche open space. The factory buildings are to be made accessible to the general public - the utilization concept will be developed as part of the project development.
High-rise building replaces existing building
In place of the existing residential building on the corner of Burgstrasse and Bogenstrasse, a high-rise building is planned according to the plans of the Herzog & de Meuron office. The project study is accompanied by the Expert Council for Urban Planning and Architecture of the City of St.Gallen. "This will ensure that the high-rise fits precisely into the urban fabric in terms of proportions, form and materialization and enhances the cityscape," Halter writes in a statement.
Investment volume of CHF 60 million
According to Halter, the investment costs amount to around 60 million Swiss francs. The high-rise building is to be used mainly for apartments; both condominiums and rental apartments are planned. Gastronomy is planned for the first floor. Complementing Bischoff Textil's existing office high-rise, the new high-rise will also feature team offices with divided areas, such as meeting rooms and co-working zones.
The project is also expected to score points in terms of sustainability. The aim is to achieve below-average land consumption per capita and a minimum number of parking spaces. The building is to be supplied with district heating and additionally produce energy via photovoltaic systems.
The special use plan procedure, which is to be carried out in 2024, includes a public participation. Another year is planned for the building permit process, followed by realization. (aw)
