Cham,11.12.2018

Alpenblick complex will be uninhabitable ruin if government insists on listing it

The cantonal government has announced that the Alpenblick residential complex is to enjoy listed status; the development was the first ever high-rise development in the canton.

The residential complex, comprising of several buildings including a school, was built during a construction boom between 1962 and 1971 and designed by local architects Josef Stöckli, Erich Weber and Ralph Schmid.

Not only are the buildings an excellent example of post-war development, they also enjoy a delightful setting among trees and spacious green areas not far from the shore of Lake Zug.

All this sounds fine, but not happy with the government’s decision is Adrian Risi, who represents the Risi Immobilien AG company, the owner of one of the buildings on the complex, which planned to have it demolished and rebuilt, also as a high-rise.

Risi pointed out that two expert companies have said that upgrading the building in its present state with regard to energy, making it resistant to earthquakes and easily accessible for disabled people was not really a viable option and would cost millions. “Even then, the flats available would be so small, no-one would want them,” insisted Risi, who also mentioned how they had plans for the demolition and reconstruction in similar architectural style for building number eight, which they own.

Of note too, is that Cham council has hitherto supported the residents of the complex in their opposition to their homes being listed, though so far it has opted not to comment on this current situation.

The owners of the remaining buildings have set up an interest group, the IG Alpenblick, hoping the cantonal government will abandon its plans for the complex to be listed, and all that this would mean. In fact, they have expressed their intention to take the matter to the Swiss Federal Court in Lausanne if necessary.

“If this complex remains listed, these high-rise flats will become uninhabitable ruins,” concluded Risi.

However, Alex Briner, the interim chairman of the Zug Heritage Protection Society disagreed with this. “Old buildings do not have to be brought up to the latest standards with regard to energy and such like. If this were the case, there would be no more historic houses or old towns left at all.”