Winterthur’s newly emerging city district officially named Lokstadt

Dietlikon, 8 September 2017 - On Thursday, representatives from Implenia and the city of Winterthur gathered together in a ceremony to name "Lokstadt", the district being developed on the basis of the official "Sulzer site Works 1" design plan. The event gave Mayor Michael Künzle and Councillor Josef Lisibach the opportunity to officially unveil the new name, thus symbolically kick-starting the process of propelling the site into the future. Adrian Wyss, Head of Business Unit Modernisation & Development at Implenia, also paid tribute to the new Lokstadt district. The name takes its origins from the area's former use as a locomotive manufacturing site, linking its history with the urban character and magnitude of the emerging new city quarter. After the name was revealed, guests had the chance to discover Lokstadt for themselves on a tour with stops marking the three pillars underpinning the development of the site: urbanism, sustainability and industrial history. Visual representations of the outdoor space also gave an impression of life in Lokstadt's future central hub.

"The name Lokstadt brings together the site's past and future. This was once a place where world-renowned locomotives were built, making it part of industrial history," said Michael Künzle, Mayor of Winterthur. Implenia's Head of Business Unit Modernisation & Development, Adrian Wyss, added some words of his own: "Our planning has been geared towards what makes modern city life what it is today. Versatility of use, quality of living, a good mix and considerate use of resources are key factors in this. Lokstadt will be urban, diverse and sustainable."

Lokstadt is being developed in several stages over a period of approximately ten years. When it is finished, it will offer future residents around 120,000 m2 of space for living, working and leisure. Overall, the district will comprise more than 750 apartments, with 30% of the residential space set aside for affordable housing. Five squares, ranging from a central hub to welcoming pocket parks, will serve as recreational spaces and places to meet. In the main square, which stretches over 6,000 m2, 150 trees will provide welcome shade, inviting passers-by to come and linger a while.

A good balance of living, working and open spaces and a diverse combination of gastronomical and cultural facilities will create a high-quality environment to live and spend time in. Thanks to careful planning and implementation, investments in this project are guaranteed to be sustainable and secure in the long term. Furthermore, Lokstadt is set to be Winterthur's first "2,000-watt site". With construction methods that make efficient use of resources, energy supplied by Stadtwerk Winterthur through district heating, a substantial proportion of green space, plenty of biodiversity and reduced road traffic, the district is designed to be environmentally sustainable. One day, up to 1,500 people will able to make themselves at home here.

More information: www.lokstadt.ch

The name of the new urban district currently being developed in Winterthur was officially unveiled as "Lokstadt" - a space for living, working and leisure (from left to right): Adrian Wyss, Head of Business Unit Modernisation & Development at Implenia, Michael Künzle, Mayor of Winterthur, and Josef Lisibach, City Councillor and Head of the City of Winterthur's Department of Civil Engineering (Image: Implenia)

Evening meeting at Dialogplatz near the Habersack: The large former factory building known as the Habersack will be preserved in its entirety and provide a lively thoroughfare into Dialogplatz. It will form part of the social centre of Lokstadt, hosting restaurants, shops and more. The name "Habersack" comes from an SLM steam train that used to carry its own supplies of coal and water, thus removing the need for a supply wagon. (Artist's impression: Implenia)

Haus Krokodil on Dialogplatz: Haus Krokodil, the new Lokstadt's first residential building, is located directly on Dialogplatz. Its clever wooden design brings together four different styles of housing under one roof, all set around a green courtyard. The name comes from the first electric locomotive on the Gotthard line, a pioneer of environmentally friendly innovation. (Artist's impres-sion: Implenia)

Implenia press contact:

Natascha Mathyl

Communications Manager

Telephone: +41 58 474 74 77

communication@implenia.com