Theater Zurich Schauspielhaus to be renovated from 2030 at the earliest

On Wednesday, Zurich City Council and the Schauspielhaus gave the go-ahead for the renovation of the Pfauen auditorium. The architectural competition for the complex project is now being announced. The jury will announce what the historic theater venue will look like in the future in September 2025.

"It will be a challenge for the winning team of architects," said City Councillor André Odermatt to the media. This is not only because the Pfauensaal is steeped in history, but also because the building could still have a few surprises in store.

The building will therefore be examined in greater depth for the preliminary project. "Then we will know how well it was renovated in the 1970s," Odermatt continued. The Pfauen was last renovated in 1977. It is undisputed that work is necessary.

Cost estimate "would be dubious"

For a long time, the extent of this work was disputed. The city council had originally favored a project in which the Pfauensaal and the stage would have been completely torn out. Only the façade would have been left as it was.

However, opposition to the project had formed from the outset. An alliance of cultural and heritage activists campaigned for the preservation of the historic hall.

In the end, the city parliament voted in favor of a "light" renovation, i.e. with only minor interventions. For Mayor Corine Mauch (SP), this is still a downer, as she said. However, the aim now is to bring the Pfauen into the future with care.

It is still unclear how much the "light" renovation will cost. The original estimate was 126 million francs, but it is unlikely to remain at that. The city council is not providing a new estimate at this time. That would be dubious, said Odermatt.

Three years in a temporary solution

The city of Zurich's voters are expected to be able to vote on the construction loan at the end of 2028. If the people say no, there will be "the worst of all solutions", as Odermatt said. Then you only do what is absolutely necessary. "Maintenance."

If everything goes according to plan, construction work could start in 2030. It is likely to take three years - too long for the Schauspielhaus to do without a stage. Those responsible are therefore currently looking for a temporary solution. It should be clear by the end of the year where the temporary Pfauen stage will be built.

The Schauspielhaus with the Pfauensaal dating from 1926 was the only free German-language stage during the Nazi era and is therefore considered a place of remembrance in theater history.

SDA