James Bond petrol station to be replaced by hotel with 007 spirit

The former ‘James Bond’ petrol station in Andermatt is to make way for a new hotel with 70 rooms and a two-storey underground car park. But the project developers assure that the location of the "Goldfinger" scene will be appreciated in the implementation.

Die-hard fans of the world's most famous spy were certainly a bit uneasy when they learned that the former ‘James Bond’ petrol station in Andermatt will give way to a new building (we reported). The petrol station was a filming location for the Bond film "Goldfinger" with Sean Connery In 1964. But the ageing building will probably be demolished soon. The new so-called "Active Lifestyle Hotel Aurora Mountain" will be built here, in a prime location and in close proximity to the Gemsstock cable car at the south-western entrance to the village of Andermatt. The building application was submitted a few days ago.

Photo spot, themed rooms or an ‘007 bar’
But now it’s clear: Despite the new building, Bond fans will also get their money's worth. A conversation between the "Urner Zeitung" and the company behind the project – F&R Asset Management AG from Stansstad – shows that the filming location for "Goldfinger" is being honoured in the implementation of the hotel. How concrete this will be is still unclear, according to Andreas Grebhan, Partner at F&R Asset Management. "This could be a photo spot, a themed room or a lobby bar inspired by '007'." There are enough ideas. But it also depends on trademark rights. What is certain, however, is that the former petrol station cannot be structurally integrated.

The former James Bond gas station Aurora in a prime location in Andermatt is to give way to the "Aurora Mountain" hotel
Project developer Andreas Grebhan wants to integrate the James Bond spirit into the Hotel Aurora Mountain.
Photos: PD

The plans for the new hotel are more concrete: 70 rooms in three different sizes, a spacious lobby on the ground floor with a bar-lounge area including a fireplace, and a restaurant with a terrace are planned. "Around 140 to 150 guests should be able to stay in the hotel," says Grebhan. A two-storey underground car park with 100 parking spaces will also become part of the "Aurora Mountain". With the exception of the underground car park, the hotel is to be built entirely of wood. Exactly which wood will be used has not yet been determined. But Grebhan reveals:

"There will be many large windows on the ground floor, so that guests can see the village and the mountain landscape."

With the "Chedi" and the "Radisson Blu", there are already luxury hotels in this winter sports resort at 1,437 metres above sea level. Will the planned "Aurora Mountain" join this group? Not according to Grebhan, even though he doesn't want to talk about Michelin stars. Customers anyway pay more attention to online reviews nowadays. "The 'active lifestyle hotel' is becoming more of a counter-pole to very expensive hotels," he says. "It will focus on a broad mix of guests." The name of the hotel thereby says it all: According to the project managers, the hotel is for people who like to feel active. Age doesn't matter. "We want to create a relaxed, uncomplicated atmosphere," explains Grebhan. The location next to the valley station of the Gemsstock cable car is perfect for this. Nothing will thereby be built next to the planned hotel in the future, so that the attractive  open view into the Ursern Valley will certainly remain over the long term.

"We see great potential in Andermatt"
But why Andermatt? "As a company from Nidwalden, we find the local proximity exciting," says Grebhan. In addition, he himself had often been to Andermatt and had come to know and appreciate the mountain village. "It's an up-and-coming tourist destination, and it's this global focus that is interesting." And: "Andermatt is attractive in both winter and summer. We see great potential here."

The plans for the new building are being drawn up by the Altdorf architects Germann & Achermann. The aim is an Alpine timber construction. There are no visualisations at the moment. But the schedule they have set for themselves is interesting. "If everything goes according to plan, we want to start construction in the spring of 2022," says Grebhan. "It will take about two years before we can open."