This move follows the Road Inspectorate’s search for a new location. STIL’s East District did not move to Lädelistrasse 10/12 until 23 September 2024, after its previous premises at the Wey depot were closed. According to the city, the property already offered the necessary infrastructure, such as a washing area, changing rooms and space for machinery and tools.
By purchasing the property, the City of Lucerne aims to secure the site in the long term and avoid ongoing rental costs. A contentious issue remains, however, as the city states that the purchase price is not currently being disclosed because the former owners’ consent has not yet been obtained. At the same time, the decision does not resolve the financial aspects solely through the acquisition. The city reserves the right to make value-enhancing investments and assumes that, without major alterations, the property can only continue to be operated in the short to medium term.
Flats to remain for the time being
In addition to space for the city’s operations, the building also contains several residential units. The upper floors house student lodges and 14 flats. These tenancies are to be continued following the change of ownership. As things stand, there are no plans to adjust the rents.
Location remains a politically sensitive issue
For Lucerne, this purchase is more than just a routine property acquisition. It stabilises an existing operational site in a neighbourhood where the accommodation of municipal services, employment law requirements and future expansion costs are closely interlinked. The main question now is how high the total costs of the purchase and any subsequent investments will actually turn out to be.
