Viktoriastrasse 70
3013 Bern
Alte Feuerwehr Viktoria
Repurposing for the neighbourhood
Planning and execution
1936 Fire station
1958 Hall building
2023–2025 Renovation of existing building
2022–2028 New build: social housing, day care and commercial premises Viktoria
Fire Brigade Cooperative
Architects
Fire station + hall: Hans Weiss, Bern
Refurbishment of fire station + hall: Viktor Hirsig & Olav Rohrer
New build: ARGE verve:mlzd
Client
Renovation of the fire station and community hall: Edith Maryon Foundation, Basel + Viktoria Fire Brigade
Cooperative New build: Viktoria Fire Brigade Cooperative
Description
After 76 years of operation, the Bern Professional Fire Brigade vacated the building and site at Viktoriaplatz at the end of 2014 and moved to its new premises. In 2015, the collective accommodation for asylum seekers and the ‘Alte Feuerwehr Viktoria’ association began a temporary use of the site, comprising just under 30 initiatives and projects. The Central Housing Cooperative is also part of the association and is applying to use the buildings for a housing project. Together with the local community, a multi-year, participatory development process follows, aimed at the sustainable, neighbourhood-oriented conversion of the site. In 2018, association members, tenants of the businesses and those interested in future housing establish the new Feuerwehr Viktoria cooperative. In the Edith Maryon Foundation, the cooperative has found an owner and investor who is taking over the site from the City of Bern under a 80-year building lease.
In 2022, the ARGE verve:mlzd consortium emerges as the winner of the competition for a new building: the successful conversion of the old fire station is complemented by an innovative and non-profit housing project.
The planned relocation in August 2026 of the 1958 extension from the Gotthelfstrasse side to the inner courtyard not only avoids tonnes of construction waste and lorry journeys in the neighbourhood. Equally important to the cooperative is the associated preservation of the historic building fabric and a sustainable construction approach. In place of the extension, the new verve:mlzd building will be constructed, comprising not only apartments but also spaces for the school and the Spitalacker school’s after-school care centre. Construction is scheduled to begin at the end of 2026.
From 2023 to 2026, the listed existing buildings will undergo a gentle refurbishment, led by the architectural team Viktor Hirsig/Olav Rohrer.
Visits and guided tours
Type of tour: Guided group tours; no individual tours
Registration: Required
Group size: Maximum 20 people
Meeting point: Courtyard of the Viktoria Fire Station, by the tower
Tour covering the conversion, the building’s history and the current businesses. Outlook on relocation and new construction project.
Tour partially accessible. Refreshments available on site on Saturday and Sunday at Restaurant Löscher.
Guided Tours
Saturday, 10:00-10:45 - Rundgangteam Feuerwehr Viktoria
Saturday, 11:00-11:45 - Rundgangteam Feuerwehr Viktoria
Saturday, 12:00-12:45 - Rundgangteam Feuerwehr Viktoria
Saturday, 13:00-13:45 - Rundgangteam Feuerwehr Viktoria
Sunday, 10:00-10:45 - Rundgangteam Feuerwehr Viktoria
Sunday, 11:00-11:45 - Rundgangteam Feuerwehr Viktoria
Sunday, 12:00-12:45 - Rundgangteam Feuerwehr Viktoria
Sunday, 13:00-13:45 - Rundgangteam Feuerwehr Viktoria
Directions
Tram no. 9 or bus no. 10 from Bern railway station to "Viktoriaplatz"
Location
Viktoriastrasse 70
3013 Bern