Extended tram depot including 193 rental apartments
On the Hard Depot area, the renovation and expansion of the VBZ tram depot is to ensure modern operation by 2025/26 and the existing utilization reserve is to be exhausted through an additional housing estate. The population approved the corresponding property loan in February 2020.
The new building project emerged as the winner of an architecture competition in 2016. The project was penned by Morger Partner Architects from Basel. The project was particularly convincing with its high space and volume efficiency, which, in addition to cost advantages, also promises energetic and operational benefits, emphasize the project managers. The building project “Tram depot and housing estate Depot Hard” includes the partial renovation of the existing, listed tram depot from 1912, the construction of a modern depot hall with a total of 25 tram parking spaces. In addition, there are provision, maintenance and repair areas as well as operating and service rooms for the Zurich transport company.
Living space for around 550 people
In addition, a new urban housing estate is being built with a total of 193 apartments of various sizes. It offers living space for around 550 people. In addition to apartments in the base construction on the Limmat, maisonette apartments (townhouses) are being built. They offer direct access to the courtyard. The offer is to be supplemented with apartment blocks in the two high-rise buildings. They extend to the 22nd and 23rd floors respectively. In addition, various studio, commercial and service areas as well as a public footpath and bicycle path with lounge areas are planned along the Limmat.
Tram depot as the base of the development
The new tram depot forms the base of the superstructure and is built over with two-storey row buildings as a geometric connection to the residential buildings of the existing complex, explain the project managers. This creates a relationship to the existing building both in terms of the height of the building and in terms of its geometry. The area between the row buildings is to be used as a spacious and versatile courtyard for the residents of the housing estate. The two high-rise residential buildings, which will be located together with the two existing high-rise buildings on the opposite side of Hardturmstrasse, mark the entrance to the Zurich-West quarter. ■
Facts about the “Tramdepot Hard” project, Zurich
Idea / use: Repair and partially new construction of the Hard tram depot, apartments, studios, commercial and services
Location: Areal Tramdepot Hard at Escher-Wyss-Platz
Project program: Partial replacement of the Hard tram depot with a communal housing estate comprising 193 apartments, studios, commercial and service rooms
Dates: Construction period: 2020 to 2025/26
Loan amount : 203.53 million CHF (including loan reserves)
Client: City of Zurich
Owner representation: Zurich property, Zurich public transport company
Client representation: Office for buildings
Architecture: Morger Partner Architects, Basel
Landscape architecture: Schönholzer + Staufer landscape architects, Riehen
Contact:
Building Construction Department City of Zurich Phone +41 (0) 44 412 11 11
Web: www.stadt-zuerich.ch