Turbinenplatz and Escher Wyss Legacy

Why is it significant?

Step out onto the open expanse of Turbinenplatz and appreciate the scale of this contemporary public plaza. Encompassing fourteen thousand square meters, this is the largest open square in Zurich West.

Key Facts

Open the walk

Step out onto the open expanse of Turbinenplatz and appreciate the scale of this contemporary public plaza. Encompassing fourteen thousand square meters, this is the largest open square in Zurich West. Its name pays homage to the water turbines designed, tested, and exported worldwide from this very soil by the Escher Wyss corporation for over a century.

Designed by landscape architects Schweingruber Zulauf, the square opened to the public in 2003. Instead of traditional floral flowerbeds, the plaza features large rectangular reflecting pools lined with weathered rust-red Corten steel alongside sunken concrete seating steps. These water basins recall the testing flumes and cooling channels that once operated outdoors here.

Beneath the feet of walkers run historic subterranean drainage channels and heavy foundation masonry from the golden age of Swiss heavy mechanical manufacturing. Today, contemporary technology headquarters, design hotels, and creative agencies frame the square. On hot afternoons, children splash in the water basins while office workers enjoy lunch in the sun. The architectural details of the masonry and the historic aura of the site continuously captivate visitors and residents alike. An attentive walk through these storied corners demonstrates how harmoniously Zurich's deep history merges with its contemporary urban rhythm.

Birch groves sprout naturally from slots in the steel paving, echoing the pioneer vegetation that took root on the industrial brownfields after the factories closed. The plaza pairs industrial memory with contemporary urban design, creating an atmosphere of calm within the busy district. 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.

Walk south across Hardstrasse and make your way towards the towering silhouette of the Prime Tower.