Vision.

In December 2004, a development plan [Gestaltungsplan] for the project, Stadtraum HB (its former project name), was prepared and submitted by SBB, the owner of the freehold interest in the site. The most important development considerations for this building project, set alongside the tracks of Zurich’s main railway station, were to provide:

• a high quality scheme in social, economic and environmental terms;
• high quality architecture providing a clear identity and functionality for the area;
• a sustainable improvement of the area and interaction with neighbouring areas; and
• phased construction

On 18th January 2006, Zurich City Council approved the development plan [Gestaltungsplan] without objection. The majority of Zurich’s voters then approved the project at a referendum on 24th September 2006.
The new city quarter will be integrated into the existing city structure, enriching it with new open space and providing a carefully planned mix of uses. The central Europaallee, as wide as the existing Bahnhofstrasse, will lead people to a new plaza on Kanonengasse. Districts 4 and 5 will also be enhanced by a new pedestrian and cycle bridge connection over the tracks at “Negrelliste