What was considered a bargain becomes a billion-euro project

Zurich wants to save its historic arsenals on the barracks site. But the price tag has risen dramatically. What was once estimated at 55 million francs now costs almost four times as much. The city council has presented a new utilization concept and is focusing on culture, commerce and a social mix. But first the people have to approve the bill.

When the city of Zurich announced the renovation of the armory on the barracks site in Zurich-Aussersihl, it still sounded like a manageable project. The initial cost estimate was around 55 million francs. Today, a figure of just under 200 million francs is on the table that makes even experienced city parliamentarians sit up and take notice. A multiplication that needs to be explained.

Dilapidated fabric drives up costs
The main driver is the fabric of the building itself. The historic arsenals are in a far worse condition than originally assumed. Pollutant remediation, structural interventions and monument conservation requirements add up to a cost that was simply underestimated in advance. Added to this are increased construction costs and an expanded usage concept that requires higher technical standards.

Culture, commerce and community
What is to be created after the renovation has substance. The city council is planning a mixture of cultural use, small businesses and publicly accessible spaces. A lively meeting place in the middle of Zurich-Aussersihl. The social mix is an explicit part of the concept. The aim is to enhance the barracks area as a whole, not just the arsenals themselves.

Long road to opening
The timetable is ambitious and the history of the project calls for caution. The renovated arsenals should be ready for occupation in 2034 at the earliest. Until then, the municipal council will need to approve a loan, an approved construction project and a smooth construction process. In Zurich, experience shows that these three factors rarely all work smoothly at the same time.

Monument obliges
The arsenals are part of the protected barracks area. An ensemble that makes the city’s history visible. Demolition is out of the question. If you want to preserve historic buildings, you have to be prepared to pay for them. The question is not whether, but how the city finances this task and communicates it transparently, comprehensibly and with clear added value for all Zurich residents.