High-rise buildings with apartments for up to 3,900 people

The Zug City Council has presented its plans for the site of the former Landis & Gyr company. In the coming years, this centrally located area is to be transformed into an urban district with a high proportion of residential units and diverse open spaces.

The plans for the LG-Areal (LG site), formerly home to the Landis & Gyr company, are moving forward. According to a report by the Zug City Council (Stadtrat), the area, which is currently used primarily as an industrial site, is to be transformed into an urban district with a high proportion of residential units and open spaces in the coming years. The council approved the LG-Areal development plan at its first reading, and will now submit it to the Greater Zug City Council (GGR: Grosser Gemeinderat Zug). The development plan is expected to be discussed at the GGR meeting in September.

Specifically, a preliminary project has been developed that envisions targeted densification of the area - with buildings reaching heights of up to approximately 80 metres. "New buildings, high-rises, and building extensions will create housing for around 2,600 to 3,900 people. A portion of this will be affordable housing – in line with the '2,000 apartments for Zug's middle class’ initiative" writes the City Council in its report on the construction project.

The City of Zug will also make a concrete contribution: as the landowner, it intends to create specifically affordable housing on its portion of the LG-Areal near the Theilerplatz, thereby expanding the housing options available to the population. Depending on the final residential allocation, the proportion of affordable housing across the entire perimeter of the LG site development plan would range between 7 and 11%, thereby fulfilling the requirements of the initiative.

The "Freiruum" will be preserved
The City of Zug has been working together with private landowners on the redevelopment of the former industrial site since 2017. Several parties are involved in the process, including the five landowners who initiated the zoning plan process, as well as other owners whose properties are integrated into the plan.

"With the LG-Areal, we are creating urgently needed housing for all segments of the population in a central location. At the same time, we are committed to a high quality of life, with attractive open spaces and a vibrant neighbourhood," said City Councillor Eliane Birchmeier, Head of the Department of Construction, in the press release about the zoning plan.

How the new development on the LG site could look             Visualisation: supplied

Existing amenities on the site that are popular with the community will be preserved, and will be integrated into the new plans, the report continues. These include the "Freiruum," an accessible food and leisure facility that will continue to contribute to a lively neighbourhood. “Other landmarks, such as the ‘Shed’ or the ‘Alte Bahnhof’ (old railway station) will relate to the area’s industrial history, and will continue it with new benefits for the residents of Zug.”

Promoting biodiversity
A particular focus of the LG-Areal development plan is on high-quality living and recreational spaces. The plan envisions a dense network of spacious, interconnected open spaces with plazas, green areas, and so-called “Gleisgärten” (railway gardens). “These diverse outdoor spaces offer room for encounters, play and relaxation, and significantly shape the identity of the new neighbourhood,” continued the city council. At the same time, the area as a whole will be made greener, thereby contributing to the improvement of the urban climate and the promotion of biodiversity.

The development plan also provides a total of 1,703 parking spaces, thereby meeting the threshold for the environmental impact assessment. The planned densification will increase the number of private parking spaces by 182 compared to the current situation, whereby the existing 38 public parking spaces will remain available at a maximum of three locations after the redevelopment. According to the preliminary plans, approximately 6,230 bicycle parking spaces will be created in the construction areas, and 300 public bicycle parking spaces will be provided at the railway station entrances by the Guthirt pedestrian underpass and by the Foyerplatz.

Following the deliberations on the LG-Areal development plan, which are expected to take place in the GGR in September, the plan will be made available for public review. The public will then have the opportunity to obtain comprehensive information about the project and to contribute their opinions.