Prime Tower and Maag Complex

Why is it significant?

Tilt your head back and look up at the sleek glass facade of the Prime Tower, soaring one hundred and twenty-six meters into the Zurich sky.

Key Facts

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Tilt your head back and look up at the sleek glass facade of the Prime Tower, soaring one hundred and twenty-six meters into the Zurich sky. Completed in 2011 to designs by the distinguished Swiss architectural duo Annette Gigon and Mike Guyer, this thirty-six-story tower stood for years as the tallest building in Switzerland. Its multifaceted outer skin of green-tinted specialty glass mirrors the clouds and city lights like a polished crystal.

The skyscraper occupies the industrial grounds of the former Maag gear factory. Starting in 1913, the Maag company manufactured precision cogwheels and gears here for ocean liners, aircraft, and heavy machinery. When production moved elsewhere, the abandoned workshops housed underground music venues and artists' studios before the new vertical towers emerged.

On the thirty-sixth floor sits the Clouds restaurant and public observation lounge. From this soaring vantage point, visitors take in a panoramic view across Zurich, the shimmering lake, and the high peaks of the Swiss Alps. Looking down reveals the intricate spiderweb of railway tracks crossing through the Hardbrücke transit station. 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 Prime Tower stands as an exemplar of sustainable skyscraper engineering, holding the prestigious LEED Gold green building certification. With its polygonal geometric floor plan, the building marked Zurich's entrance into modern vertical architecture. 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. Thoughtful explorers will discover captivating details at every turn, bearing witness to the deep heritage and civic pride of the city.

Walk a few paces east along the rail tracks to the vibrant container hub of Frau Gerolds Garten.