Löwenbräu-Areal and Kunsthalle Zurich

Why is it significant?

Look up at the monumental red-brick facade and soaring industrial chimney of the former Löwenbräu brewery on Limmatstrasse. Established in the late nineteenth century, generations of Zurich brewmasters produced millions of liters of beer within these cavernous halls.

Key Facts

Open the walk

Look up at the monumental red-brick facade and soaring industrial chimney of the former Löwenbräu brewery on Limmatstrasse. Established in the late nineteenth century, generations of Zurich brewmasters produced millions of liters of beer within these cavernous halls. Where mash tuns once steamed and grain sacks were stacked, the international contemporary art world now makes its home.

Following the brewery's closure in 1986, the historic complex avoided demolition and was reimagined as a center for contemporary art. In 2012, architects Gigon and Guyer completed a dramatic redevelopment: they paired the historic brick structure with a dark residential tower and an audacious cantilevered office block that hovers dramatically above the street.

Under the Löwenbräu roof gather world-class art institutions: Kunsthalle Zurich, the Migros Museum of Contemporary Art, the Luma Foundation, and premier international galleries including Hauser and Wirth. Collectors, curators, and art lovers travel from around the world for major exhibition openings. The beautifully preserved facades and historic stonework continue to captivate architecture enthusiasts and everyday wanderers alike. A careful stroll through these evocative lanes reveals how masterfully the city of Zurich has protected its rich urban heritage across centuries.

The juxtaposition of raw industrial textures, white gallery walls, and monumental contemporary installations creates an inspiring dialogue. It demonstrates how successfully Zurich transitioned from an industrial manufacturing center into a global creative metropolis. Generations of proud local residents have shaped this remarkable landmark, passing its timeless stories down to present-day travelers. Throughout the surrounding neighborhoods, visitors can clearly sense the harmonious blend of historic tradition and cosmopolitan energy. Visitors from around the globe admire the authentic historic atmosphere and cultural significance of this beloved Zurich landmark. Visitors from around the globe admire the authentic historic atmosphere and cultural significance of this beloved Zurich landmark.

Walk down Heinrichstrasse to the Josefwiese park and enter the bustling arcade of the Markthalle Im Viadukt.