The Volkshaus Basel, redesigned by Herzog & de Meuron in the heart of the city, continues its history and blends architecture, encounter, art and gusto.
The hotel is at the center of the overall opus and offers its guests an inspiring as well as relaxing haven of peace in the middle of the metropolis. Combined with a bar and brasserie, a platan-covered courtyard and various event spaces. All 45 rooms and suites have been renovated with respect for the historic building fabric and blend generosity with a reduction to the essentials.
Whether small and intimate in the Cozy category, rich in perspective and flooded with light in the Corner, with a view of Clara Square in the Top Floor Classic or imposing in the Volkshaus Classic, which with its free-standing beds is reminiscent of the Grand Hotels of the Belle Époque. For longer stays and for families, the Junior or the Terrace Suites with their own roof terrace and a magnificent view over the city are the perfect choice.
All rooms are furnished with square wood furniture designed by the architects. Harmoniously combined with gray terrazzo and delicate wallpaper, whose 17th century etchings bridge to past times.
The origins of the socially, culturally and politically relevant meeting place – once known as Burgvogtei – date back to the 14th century. In 1925, the area was completely rebuilt for the first time and reopened as the representative Volkshaus Basel with event halls, offices, stores, a library, and a restaurant and hotel. A short-lived splendor and open spirit, it was repurposed 50 years later during renovations and turned into an office building.
The fact that the new owners commissioned the internationally renowned architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron with the conversion was a lucky moment for today’s Volkshaus. The aim was to revitalize the diversity of uses while at the same time restoring the architectural identity of 1925. With this in mind, later additions and cladding were removed and, wherever possible, the original architecture and its defining stylistic elements were recreated. Such as the oval window above the entrance, which was reinstalled at different scales in different locations. The current brasserie was also restored to its original spatial structure. While the lobby welcomes guests with contemporary art that runs like DNA throughout the building. Always unobtrusive and yet ever present.
What to do
Walks through the alleys and streets of Klein- and Großbasel with their numerous sightseeing venues, such as the Basel Cathedral, the Pfalz viewing terrace and the large market square with its bright red city hall, art and cultural enjoyment in 40 museums (e. g. Kunstmuseum Basel, Jean Tinguely, Fondation Beyeler or the Museum der Kulturen), architecture by renowned international architects, time out on the Rhine, theater, opera and concerts, arthouse cinema in the Free Cinema, Läckerli Huus with traditional Basel honey cake, a visit to the Basel carnival, excursions to the Black Forest and the Vosges and, of course, the selected art and culture program of the Volkshaus Basel.
Why we like this house
An exciting overall project and outstanding house!
This house is great for
Architecture, art and culture enthusiasts
Sustainability
Sustainable operation awarded with the label "Swissstainable committed", very good accessibility by public transport.
Details
Region | CH – Switzerland, Basel |
Name | Volkshaus Basel |
Scenery | In the central district of Kleinbasel |
Number of guests | 45 rooms and suites of different sizes |
Completed | 1925 (Henri Baur), 2020 (redesign) |
Design | Herzog & de Meuron, Basel |
Published | Baumeister (04/2022), AD (04/2021), Dezeen (03/2020) Living Corriere (12/2020) and many more |
Architecture | Historical, Modern, Old & new |
Accomodation | Hotel |
Criteria | Rooms for 1-2 (hotel), Rooms for 1-4 (hotel), Art, Family, Meeting, Metropolis, Restaurant, Urban, Workation, excellent sustainability, No car needed |
Availability calendar
The calendar shows the current availability of the accommodation. On days with a white background, the accommodation is still fully available. If an accommodation has more than one rentable unit, days with free capacities are shown with a light grey background. On days with a dark grey background, the accommodation is not available.
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