Zurich: Appeal against project on Pfingstweidstrasse rejected
In the long struggle over planning in the area surrounding the «Maag-Hallen», the project proponents have achieved an interim success. However, an end to the dispute is not yet in sight.
The «Maag-Areal Plus» area will not become a planning zone according to the decision of the Zurich Building Appeals Court. As the investors in the «Prime 1» and «Prime 3» projects write in a press release, the building appeals court does not consider the Hamasil Foundation to be entitled to object. Only those who are directly affected and have an interest worthy of protection can lodge an objection. The reference to public interests or the interests of third parties is not sufficient.
The aim of the appeal by the Hamasil Foundation, which runs the «Kulturpark» near the site, was to create a planning zone with new special building regulations for the area, which is home to the Pfingstweidparkhaus of logistics company Welti-Furrer, among other things. The creation of a planning zone would have made it possible to preserve existing commercial buildings on the site. Welti-Furrer wants to create residential and commercial buildings with around 100 apartments and 4,000 square meters of rental space for affordable housing as well as retail and restaurant space on its property. The Maag-Hallen ensemble, which belongs to Swiss Prime Site and is the subject of a bitter dispute over its preservation, is located in the immediate vicinity. The city council had applied for a planning zone for the «Maag-Areal Plus» in 2025 in order to gain time to revise the existing special building regulations. However, the canton rejected this plan.
Hamasil must bear the costs of the proceedings and pay compensation to the opponents of the appeal. The foundation can lodge an appeal against this decision with the Administrative Court.
No end to the dispute in sight
In addition to the dispute over the planning zone, other legal disputes are raging over the planned construction projects, such as the question of whether the Canton of Zurich must examine whether the Maag Halls are worthy of protection. (IB reported). Opponents of the project were successful on this point last fall. Meanwhile, the Hamasil Foundation has reaffirmed their will, to maintain resistance to the Welti-Furrer project and the demolition of the Maag Halls. (aw)
