Outlook with the Innovation Park in Dübendorf
The Innovation Park Zurich (IPZ) is developing rapidly. The next expansion phase is already being developed and planned. In addition to the existing halls, the first new buildings are to be built soon, which will allow flexible use for cutting-edge research and development. They will be developed and built by HRS Real Estate AG on behalf of IPZ Property AG. Their managing director, Andrea C. Thöny, explains the planning status.
Mr Thöny, where does the structural development stand?
We are currently in development stage 1, the peripheral zone of the airfield site, where we are meeting the space requirements of our research partners ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich as well as initial users from business and industry. In addition, there are test and meeting areas as well as flexible and temporary facilities in front of the hangars. At the same time, we are working intensively on the development and planning of stage 2, i.e. the first stage of new buildings.
How will the Innovation Park become an inspiring place for researchers?
We are working on the vision of this “research city of the future”. When you enter the Innovation Park Zurich in the near future, you will immediately feel and see that this is an exceptional place for research and development. We are creating a unique environment for researchers. The companies and research partners will have the opportunity to bring their employees into a context that otherwise only very large tech companies like Apple can offer. At the same time, the historical heritage, the former military airfield, remains recognisable as such and can be experienced.
We see the Innovation Park as a “Cognitive City”, a digitally highly networked urban space with outstanding and sustainable architecture and landscape architecture and an attractive range of different campus uses that will grow over the years, where people can work, do research, meet and exchange ideas, eat and drink, relax and do sports. In other words, a place with a high quality of stay and life, where the focus is always on people. At the same time, a new, diverse range of services, leisure and recreation facilities is being created for the population of the surrounding communities and the entire region.
What is the next milestone on the way to realising this vision?
Last year we launched an architectural competition in which renowned national and international offices as well as three up-and-coming firms participated. From the 28 designs submitted, we will select seven projects together with a jury, which will then be developed as part of the first major new building phase. In the second half of the year we will be able to show a concrete picture of the future Innovation Park site for the first time.
New premises are being built on the site.
What does the development & realisation phase look like?
We are working on an “Industrial Hub” with ETH Zurich and a “Space Hub” with the University of Zurich. Both are very exciting projects and in themselves “small innovation parks” in the Innovation Park. In addition, various smaller buildings and projects are being planned for the start and the first tenants.
About the person
Andrea Claudio Thöny is an architect ETH. After working as an architect and in real estate consulting, he joined HRS in 2018 and has been Head of Real Estate Development since 2020. His focus is on the development of special projects in the areas of research and development, commercial and special uses, as well as business development, M&A and restructuring. Since 2019, he has been responsible for the Innovation Park Zurich as overall project manager, and since 2023 additionally as managing director of IPZ Property AG.