Architects
Address and directions
Place Bel-Air 1
1003
Lausanne,
Switzerland
Public transport: Flon
Access: Accessible
La tour Bel-Air du complexe Bel-Air-Métropole (1932)
#Multifunctional building #Lausanne #Switzerland #1932
The first high-rise building in Switzerland
Description
The Tour du Bel-Air of the Bel-Air-Métropole (Bel-Air tower of the Metropole complex) is considered the first skyscraper of Switzerland. The building has a horseshoe-shaped ground plan and, due to its topographical position, different heights depending on the location. On the northern side, the building measures only 7 floors, the southern wing 11, the part bordering Rue de Genève has 16 floors, while the main tower is the highest part with 20 floors and 53 meters.
The structure is a steel skeleton, which is lined with masonry and covered with natural stone. The facade has a classicist appearance, but does not have exuberant ornamentation. The entrance area on the north side is decorated with greenish glass blocks in Art Deco style. The lower level contains storefronts with large windows that are flush with the wall. Brown marble was used for the walls. The windows are arranged strictly symmetrically. The two upper floors of the tower are set back. The tower has a 12-meter high flag-pole, which usually carries the Swiss flag.
Description
The Tour du Bel-Air of the Bel-Air-Métropole (Bel-Air tower of the Metropole complex) is considered the first skyscraper of Switzerland. The building has a horseshoe-shaped ground plan and, due to its topographical position, different heights depending on the location. On the northern side, the building measures only 7 floors, the southern wing 11, the part bordering Rue de Genève has 16 floors, while the main tower is the highest part with 20 floors and 53 meters.
The structure is a steel skeleton, which is lined with masonry and covered with natural stone. The facade has a classicist appearance, but does not have exuberant ornamentation. The entrance area on the north side is decorated with greenish glass blocks in Art Deco style. The lower level contains storefronts with large windows that are flush with the wall. Brown marble was used for the walls. The windows are arranged strictly symmetrically. The two upper floors of the tower are set back. The tower has a 12-meter high flag-pole, which usually carries the Swiss flag.
History
The Zurich developer Eugen Scotoni acquired the plot of land at the Bel-Air square with a project idea by Eugène Jost and commissioned the architect Alphonse Laverrière. In 1932, Switzerland's first skyscraper was completed. The cinema-theater with 1,600 seats could be opened as early as 1931.
Parts of the Lausanne population found the construction of the building scandalous and feared that the tower would exceed the height of the Notre Dame Cathedral. The architectural style also raised eyebrows, as it reminded people of the American doomsayers of the Wall Street, which stood for the Great Crash of 1929.
In 2016, the building was extensively refurbished by the Lausanne architectural firm CCHE.
History
The Zurich developer Eugen Scotoni acquired the plot of land at the Bel-Air square with a project idea by Eugène Jost and commissioned the architect Alphonse Laverrière. In 1932, Switzerland's first skyscraper was completed. The cinema-theater with 1,600 seats could be opened as early as 1931.
Parts of the Lausanne population found the construction of the building scandalous and feared that the tower would exceed the height of the Notre Dame Cathedral. The architectural style also raised eyebrows, as it reminded people of the American doomsayers of the Wall Street, which stood for the Great Crash of 1929.
In 2016, the building was extensively refurbished by the Lausanne architectural firm CCHE.
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