Bern: Mixed use for office building "U8"
The CS REF Green Property fund wants to convert the headquarters of pharmaceutical service provider Galenica in Bern from pure office use to mixed use.
The "U8" is a striking building at Untermattweg 8 between Bern and Bümpliz. The building previously served as the headquarters of Galenica. It will continue to have this function. However, it will be completely renovated and supplemented with apartments and a public restaurant. Since 2021, the building has belonged to the Credit Suisse Real Estate Fund Green Property (CS REF Green Property), a real estate investment vehicle of Credit Suisse, which in turn now belongs to the UBS Group.
After the refurbishment, "U8" will meet the requirements of the "Greenproperty" quality seal developed by CS for sustainable real estate. The refurbishment project makes use of the existing building fabric. The concept includes the extensive use of photovoltaics, including in the façades. Along Murtenstrasse, the culverted urban stream will be uncovered and renaturalized. The other outdoor spaces are also designed to be close to nature and are sealed as little as possible.
Mix of apartments with up to 3.5 rooms
The tower will be preserved and renovated, its height will remain unchanged. The base and the three additional storeys on top of it will provide space for 69 rental apartments. To the west and north, the top floor of the three-storey base will be demolished and supplemented by a three-storey extension in timber construction. A sheltered inner courtyard will be created in the middle of the base. The offer includes 20 larger apartments with 3.5 or more rooms. The other apartments are divided into small apartments, lofts, studio apartments and cluster apartments. The mix of uses is complemented by a restaurant area that opens onto Murtenstrasse and is open to the local population.
Start of construction from fall 2024
The transformation of U8 will take place in several stages up to 2030, with GWJ Architektur AG (Bern) responsible for the architecture and general planning. Galenica will remain in the building during the renovation. Temporary office space will be set up in the base. The complete renovation will begin in autumn 2024 at the earliest. According to the press release, several projects are expected in the area surrounding the district, which should lead to a lively neighborhood. (aw)
