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SBB has been renovating the south wing of Zurich main station for years. But the construction noise should be a thing of the past next year.
Around half a million passengers pass through Zurich’s main train station every day. Some commuters scoff at the largest train station in Switzerland: it is an “eternal construction site”. Because for more than four years there has been hammering, drilling and sawing all around the passengers.
Marble columns à la “back then”
On the one hand, the SBB are renovating the historic station hall, in which the blue angel hangs from the ceiling. The building facing Bahnhofstrasse will also be renovated. The so-called south wing is more than 150 years old and needs renovation.
The creation of the south wing
“There will be a combination of old building fabric and modern fixtures,” says Marc Brunkhorst. As the overall project manager at SBB, he is responsible for the conversion.
Certain pillars, for example, were repeatedly repainted during previous renovations. Conservators have now removed the layers of paint, leaving marble visible as it was more than a century ago.
Legend:
Together with the preservation of monuments, the SBB have defined how ceilings, walls and floors are to be renovated. The opening of the south wing will take place in late autumn.
SRF / Damian Grunow
The biggest innovation is a third floor. It is only visible from the south wing, but not from the street. The addition was structurally challenging: “We had to cut open the roof and remove it,” says project manager Brunkhorst.
While offices will be located on the second floor, the upper floor is intended for healthcare. The emergency practice Permanence is moving in. “And the pharmacy and dental center will also rent space,” says Brunkhorst.
Legend:
The third floor offers additional space. Project manager Brunkhorst speaks of a compensation: “Since we cleared out the basements and removed false ceilings, there were losses in the areas.”
SRF / Damian Grunow
The tenants will take over the south wing this spring. The opening is planned for late autumn. A gourmet restaurant will also be part of the party, and more are planned.
“The main station will be a little more elegant,” says Alexis Leuthold. The head of management at SBB Immobilien speaks of a “worthy train station”. A luxury temple does not arise. “But the building should be the way Switzerland’s largest train station deserves it.”
Legend:
The entrance hall at Zurich main station facing Bahnhofstrasse should be brighter, as this visualization shows.
SBB
The entire conversion, which began in 2018, costs 174 million francs. As a first step, the SBB installed a production kitchen under the historic station hall. It supplies a large part of the restaurants and take-aways. The sandstone facade was later renovated.
Final spurt in the construction work
According to the SBB, the conversion work at such a central location is still a challenge today. “Among other things, we have to guarantee the flow of pedestrians,” says overall project manager Marc Brunkhorst. “Logistics must therefore be organized very tightly.” From the delivery of materials to distribution via a crane inside the building: Everything is strictly regulated in terms of time and place.
Now the construction workers are in the final sprint. «The restoration work is almost complete. Now there is still fine-tuning to be done,” says Brunkhorst. In a few months, the tenants will take over their rooms and set themselves up. The opening will take place in autumn 2023. The “eternal construction site” should then be history.