PORR to build Franklinturm in Zurich

The first milestone in the construction of the Franklinturm in Zurich has been reached: the excavation pit for the underground storeys is now complete. Right beside the Zurich-Oerlikon railway station, an office building with a height of 80m will be erected by the end of 2022. The design-build contract was awarded to PORR SUISSE AG by SBB Immobilien. The contract is worth around EUR 75m (approx. CHF 80m).

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“Completion of the excavation works marks an important milestone both for this striking building construction project and for this up-and-coming area in the north of Zurich. Franklinturm is a beacon project with optimal links that will offer future tenants the brightest prospects for their business”, said Karl-Heinz Strauss, CEO of PORR.

Following a construction period of around 11 months, PORR completed the technically demanding excavation work on schedule. As the pit was in direct proximity to the working SBB railway tracks, the work called for exceptional precision. What’s more, space was extremely tight in the pit itself. This necessitated the regular use of heavy-duty cranes located outside the pit to place and move the construction machinery. PORR’s engineering skills and the outstanding cooperation of the companies involved in the project meant that the excavation pit could be completed on time and on budget.

New eye-catcher in Zurich Nord

The project by architects Armon Semadeni emerged triumphant following a multi-stage bidding process. The 21-storey Franklinturm will be located south of the railway station on the site on Hofwiesenstraße. Together with the neighbouring high-rise buildings that form the Swissôtel, Neumarkt and Andreasturm, the 80m building will fit seamlessly into the skyline of the modern service centre, offering far-reaching views over Zurich’s economic metropolis.

The construction also ticks the right boxes in terms of profitability. Features here include a carefully considered use of space and trailblazing energy efficiency standards that justify the label “DGNB Platin” by the Swiss Sustainable Building Council.