It was the largest urban development project in Switzerland at the turn of the century. And its inauguration in Zurich at the end of last year could not have come at a more unfavourable time. "The Circle opened at the end of November at a time when Switzerland's leading airport was hard hit by the pandemic. Airport traffic plummeted by 31.5 million passengers in 2019 compared with just 8.3 million last year.
Adjacent to Kloten airport, the Circle is a a genuine business district. Once fully opened, it must incorporate two hotels with a congress centreThere are many shops and restaurants, as well as the headquarters of international companies and a medical services centre. Probably a good idea since the covid pandemic...
The architecture of the complex took several years to come to fruition. It is the work of Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto, who created a structure whose curved shapes follow those of the terminals. The building follows very strict energy criteria to minimise its environmental impact. Photovoltaic installations on the roof and thermal storage in the basement reduce energy and water consumption.
The advantage of this new business district is its immediate proximity to Zurich airport. "The Circle is directly linked to the airport terminals and also to Kloten underground station.. From this station, a dozen trains run every hour to the centre of Zurich in ten minutes as well as all of Switzerland's major cities.
Hotels and a park
The first offices have been occupied since the end of last year by the airport management, Abraxas, the Raiffeisen bank and a branch of a university hospital, which is already welcoming patients to its new outpatient centre. In 2021, Horváth & Partners, Microsoft, Novo Nordisk, SAP and Oracle will move in, as well as offices in the form of coworking.
The two hotels are exploited under the brand name Hyatt. Inaugurated last November, the Hyatt Regency has 255 rooms including 18 suites. It also has a bar, restaurant and market. Scheduled for completion this spring, the Hyatt Place will have 300 rooms as well as a restaurant and bar. Between the two hotels, "The Circle Convention Centre offers 5,000 m² of conference space with 16 conference rooms and a central hall with a total capacity of 2,500 delegates.
There is also a shopping centre with a dozen shops and restaurants. One of the highlights, however, is a park, green space that seeks its equivalent elsewhere in the world. This is the first time that an airport has had its own green space. Visit 80 000 m²The park is made up of meadows, forests, a pond and paths for sports enthusiasts. A funicular even links The Circle to a panoramic esplanade high up in the centre of the park. Botanical tours are also available.
The new infrastructure will transform Zurich airport from a hub into an aerocity. A development that perhaps foreshadows the future of many other airports in need of recycling...
