Green light given to construction of multi-family dwelling unit

Members of the Gewoga housing cooperative gave the green light to the construction of a multi-family dwelling unit in Steinhausen last week.

Indeed, as the chairman of the association, Urs Niederberger, confirmed, 97 of the 110 members present backed the project. If all goes according to schedule, the first occupants could be moving in a soon as 2020.

Niederberger went on to say that the designs of the new building were very much in accordance with the cooperative’s philosophy, which looked to a new type of community in such accommodation, namely with communal areas where residents could get to know each other, a policy of togetherness rather than loneliness.

Questions were raised at the meeting, however, as to why no balconies had been included in the designs, though it was pointed out there would be niches by the windows of room height to enable materials and such like to be aired and the large roof terrace would be available to all residents. Furthermore, the building would be surrounded by greenery, where residents could enjoy sitting outside, too. Individual cellars would be provided to the rear of the building, though no underground garage was planned, hence owners would have to find one in the near vicinity.

This housing cooperative with 606 members operates predominantly in the city of Zug, this being the first such development beyond the city’s boundaries.

To make way for this development of affordable housing, i.e. of apartments of one, two and three rooms, with rents amounting to between CHF 900 and CHF 1,600, an existing somewhat dilapidated building at number 25 Goldmatterstrasse is to be demolished. “Fortunately, all residents here have already been able to find alternative accommodation,” said a relieved Niederberger.

Not surprisingly, there is already of list people interested in moving to the new development, the only condition being that they are members of the Gewoba cooperative.