Apartments to be built in place of the “Tisch + Bar” restaurant

The plans for the future use of the Wendelinhof in Holzhäusern are ready. But two objections are currently blocking the project.
 

The former Tisch + Bar restaurant was located on the historic Wendelinhof. In addition to meals, the restaurant also used to sell accessories, furniture, pictures, and tableware. The farmhouse, which was built in 1471, served as a restaurant, while the listed cheese dairy (Käserei), built in 1804, provided space for a bar and shop.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and increasing competition from Rotkreuz and Risch, however, the business found itself in ever-increasing financial difficulties. The high density of restaurants in Holzhäusern – currently four – also made it difficult to continue operating, and the “Tisch + Bar” restaurant closed its doors for good on 17th April this year,. There were no successors who wanted to open a new restaurant at this location.

New residential use planned
In April, the owner, Imogi Immoblien AG, announced that further information would be available at the end of the year, and a building application was recently lodged with the municipality of Risch. This refers to a conversion and an extension. A total of four residential buildings are to be built, comprising three 2.5-room apartments and five 4.5-room maisonette apartments.

The former restaurant is to be fitted with new kitchens and bathrooms in order to create a 2.5-room apartment and a 4.5-room maisonette apartment. A new kitchen and shower are to be built in the former bar and shop area of the cheese dairy – and the building is to be converted into a tiny house. As the ‘Käserei’ is a listed building, the building application states that close cooperation with the monument preservation authorities was sought during the planning stage.

Two completely new buildings are to be constructed for this purpose. The first is an extension on the south side of the farmhouse, which will share the existing staircase with the farmhouse. The second building is a new construction that will be located between the farmhouse and the cheese dairy. The layout of the buildings is intended to create a sheltered courtyard. The project aims to bring young and old together.

The construction profiles around the Wendelinhof.
The natural aging of the wood is clearly visible on the exterior façade of the “Tisch + Bar” restaurant         Photos: Mathias Blattmann
 

Between tradition and modernity
Imogi Immobilien AG is aware of its responsibility: the design of the two new buildings is based on the existing Wendelinhof buildings. Elements such as untreated solid wood, a gabled roof, and windows similar in proportion to those of the farmhouse will ensure that the new buildings blend into the existing townscape.

At the same time, large windows are planned, which will create contemporary, bright living spaces. “As the wood ages naturally, however, the difference between old and new will become more subtle over time and blend harmoniously into the overall picture,” according to the building application. Ecological aspects are also being taken into account: according to the building application, planting is planned to promote local biodiversity in a microclimate. On request, a representative of Imogi Immobilien AG explained that sustainability is a “top priority” for them. She didn’t comment on the investment costs for the project.

The deadline for objections was 10th September. According to Imogi Immobilien AG, there ae two objections to the project, but they did not wish to comment further. The municipality of Risch is also not providing any information on the subject “due to the ongoing proceedings.”