Seetalplatz is stepping up its efforts and building 344 flats

The next major step for Lucerne North is set to begin at Seetalplatz in Emmen. From September 2026, construction will begin on the Rüüssegg site to create 344 flats, commercial premises and new open spaces along the Kleine Emme. The neighbourhood is due to be completed by the end of 2029.

The start of construction follows a lengthy planning process. The legally binding development plan for building plots B1 to B3 has been in place since 2017. In 2020, the Canton of Lucerne put the site, covering around 17,000 square metres, out to tender; in 2021, the development company was awarded the building rights; and in 2022, the urban development concept resulting from a study commission was recommended for further development.

On the site on the eastern edge of Seetalplatz, 186 rental flats, 58 social housing flats and 100 freehold flats are to be built. In addition, there will be around 1,700 square metres of office and commercial space, as well as communal areas. This will transform another development site in Lucerne North into a mixed-use neighbourhood with a direct connection to the Kleine Emme.

:from transport hub to residential areaSeetalplatz has been undergoing a fundamental change in function for years. Whereas it used to be primarily a transport hub, today it is becoming a hub for living, working and administration. Rüüssegg bridges a significant gap between the already completed ‘Viertel’ neighbourhood and the new cantonal administration building, the construction of which entered its final phase in 2026.

Open space forms part of the‘
’project. The neighbourhood is not designed solely as a residential development. The concept, which won an award in 2022, centres on three building complexes set within a landscaped environment. Plans include nature-oriented residential courtyards, green spaces, communal areas and a riverside design featuring river steps and a footpath along the Kleine Emme. It is precisely this connection to open space that is likely to be decisive for the site’s positioning.

Building rights rather than land sale
The Canton of Lucerne remains the owner of the plot. The project is being carried out under a building lease, which, according to project details, has been granted for 70 years with an option to extend. This ensures that the public sector retains influence over the area’s development, whilst additional housing is being created at Seetalplatz in an already highly densely built-up area.