The South Wing of Zurich Main Station has been restored for 175 million Swiss francs.
Published: Monday, Oct 30th 2023, 12:40
Updated At: Tuesday, Oct 31st 2023, 00:53
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The south wing of Zurich's main train station is open to the public again after a five-year renovation. The sandstone building, built in 1871, is a protected monument. The first shops and restaurants will open at the end of the week.
On Monday, the completion of the works was celebrated with Zurich's Director of Economics Carmen Walker Späh (FDP) and City President Corine Mauch (SP).
The politicians emphasized to the media the importance of public transportation and the train station as a meeting place. In their first memories, the HB was the "gateway to the world".
Walker Späh wishes that the Sunday shopping allowed in the HB (Hauptbahnhof) would be possible outside of the station as well, to "liven up Bahnhofstrasse on Sundays". The Mayor of Zurich was rather reserved on this issue.
This space is intended for a travel center and local businesses. It is intended for public consumer news.
The South Wing of the main train station includes the passage from the station hall to Bahnhofstrasse. On the ground floor, various shops and catering offers are located. The SBB travel center also finds a new place here.
On November 3rd, the third floor of the building will open with a permanence and a dental center. Part of the premises will open on November 3rd, with the rest following in 2024.
Thirteen layers of paint have been removed.
The renovation work on the 19th century building brought some surprises. For Beatrice Bichsel, Head of SBB Immobilien, these included the marble columns in the new travel center. "These were hidden under 13 different layers of paint," she said to the media.
The building was renovated in collaboration with the cantonal heritage preservation, including the roof and facade, technical systems, and interior spaces. The work was planned and executed in accordance with the cantonal heritage preservation guidelines.
Around 300 ceiling cassettes, 500 rosettes, 180 archways, 80 angels, lions, Hermes and Atlas figures were replaced or restored. The cost of around 175 million Swiss francs was funded by SBB Immobilien.
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