This 260-Meter Skyscraper Is Dividing Switzerland's Most Iconic Alpine Village - Yanko Design

"The Swiss alpine village of Zermatt has never seen anything quite like this. Heinz Julen, a local hotelier and designer, has unveiled plans for a 260-meter skyscraper that would pierce the sky just 800 meters from the village entrance. The 65-story tower, called Lina Peak, has sparked fierce debate in a community known for its car-free streets and fiercely protected mountain aesthetic."

"The project addresses a very real problem. Zermatt's population swells from 6,000 permanent residents to over 40,000 during peak tourism seasons. Property prices have gone stratospheric, vacancy rates hover near zero, and seasonal workers struggle to find anywhere to live. Julen himself faces this challenge annually as a hotel owner, scrambling to house his staff. Employers in the tourism industry consistently struggle to provide affordable accommodation for seasonal workers, as local real estate is prohibitively expensive and vacancies are almost nonexistent."

"Designer: Heinz Julen His solution thinks vertically. Floors 2 through 32 would provide affordable housing for locals and seasonal workers, while floors 33 through 62 would contain luxury apartments aimed at wealthy foreign buyers. The ground levels would pack in 1,000 parking spaces, a 2,500-seat concert hall, retail shops, restaurants, a sports center, a swimming pool, and a daycare center. The comprehensive vision transforms what could be a simple residential tower into a multi-functional hub for the entire community."

Zermatt faces acute seasonal housing shortages as its population rises from about 6,000 to over 40,000 during peak tourism, driving property prices up and leaving near-zero vacancy rates. Heinz Julen proposes Lina Peak, a 260-meter, 65-story tower on a 40-by-40-meter farmland footprint at 1,500 meters with clear Matterhorn views. Floors 2–32 would provide affordable housing for locals and seasonal workers; floors 33–62 would offer luxury apartments. Ground levels would include 1,000 parking spaces, a 2,500-seat concert hall, retail, restaurants, sports facilities, a pool and daycare. The plan promotes vertical densification and multifunctional community use but provokes debate over Zermatt’s protected alpine aesthetic.

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