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The billion dollar project is headed for an uncertain future due to the corona pandemic. However, those involved in Thursday’s inauguration conveyed unreserved optimism.
The airport circle is open to customers from Thursday.
The new billion dollar building The Circle at Zurich Airport opened Thursday. But it still looks like a ghost town, a consequence of the fact that a large number of tenants did not move into the office space when it opened and black glass facades can be seen. Some of the tenants are still working inside before moving in early summer. Construction will continue on the site in the future.
Due to the corona virus, there were two to three month delays in construction works. Entire teams had to be quarantined and the material was blocked abroad, says Stefan Feldmann, head of The Circle at Zurich airport, at a press conference Thursday in Kloten. Feldmann also said: “It is certainly not the ideal time to inaugurate such a large project, but we could not choose it.”
“Kloten now has two centers”
In reality, the opening should have been widely celebrated and the new building should have been presented to the media on a tour. But the program fell victim to the crown’s protective measures. And so tenants like Jelmoli, the University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and Omega submitted photos instead of rooms.
Despite the circumstances, René Huber, Mayor of Kloten, said: “I already know that this will be the most important event of my term.” Although not pompous because of the pandemic, this quote will remain unforgettable: “Kloten now has two centers.”
The construction of the Circle is the largest expansion step of the airport since the so-called fifth phase of construction was completed in 2004. It included the new pier, which can be reached with the Skymetro, and the Airside Center. The buildings cost 2.4 billion Swiss francs at the time; the circle is now worth a billion, Swiss Life and Zurich airport share the investment costs.
Area map circle
Already treated more than 5000 patients
While some tenants are still busy with interior work, the USZ moved into the new eight-story outpatient clinic on October 5. In the future, half of all outpatients at the USZ will be treated there. So far, 173 operations have already been performed and more than 5,000 patients have been cared for, said Gregor Zünd, CEO of the USZ: “Feedback from patients is very positive, they appreciate the easy accessibility and modern infrastructure.”
On Thursday, none of those present were concerned that the Circle would not be profitable due to the pandemic and its aftermath. Andreas Schmid, Chairman of the Zurich Airport Board of Directors, even said: “We know that the Circle will be lively and popular.”
