Zurich’s Skyline Soars: 11 New High-Rise Projects Transforming the Region
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The canton of Zurich is experiencing a construction boom,with eleven meaningful high-rise projects poised to reshape the area’s skyline. From new residential complexes to mixed-use developments, these buildings – some reaching 100 meters in height – are set to have a lasting impact on communities from Dübendorf to Winterthur. While Basel and Zurich currently boast the tallest buildings in Switzerland, the Zurich area is rapidly becoming a hub for vertical development, with structures exceeding the 25-meter threshold defining a high-rise under cantonal law.
Construction recently commenced on the first of two residential and commercial towers in Regensdorf, signaling a wave of new high-rise projects across the region. these developments promise not only increased housing and commercial space but also innovative approaches to sustainability and urban design.
Dübendorf: Leading the Way with lasting Heights
Dübendorf is emerging as a leader in high-rise construction, with some residents playfully referring to the area as “Dübai.” The municipality already hosts the three tallest residential buildings in Switzerland, all exceeding 100 meters. Adding to this vertical landscape is the “Am Ring” complex, featuring six residential buildings and the striking 85-meter Ring Tower, intended to become a landmark for the new residential area.
A total of 500 apartments are planned within these six buildings, situated where the communities of Wallisellen, Schwamendingen, and Dübendorf converge. Developers are prioritizing sustainability through wood hybrid architecture, solar systems, vertical gardens, and the utilization of Glatt as a heating and cooling water supplier.While construction was initially scheduled to begin in autumn 2025, the project is currently facing an appeal regarding the building permit process. The development is being spearheaded by a St. Gallen-based company commissioned by the Basel life science company, Novartis.
Wallisellen,Bülach,and Dübendorf: Furthering the Trend
Wallisellen is adding three new residential towers – reaching heights of 63,49,and 37 meters – directly alongside the railway line. The facades, constructed from glass fiber reinforced concrete, will be colored in terracotta, and a green roof garden will crown a connected base building. The development, scheduled for completion in 2028, will provide 203 apartments and approximately 4,700 square meters of commercial space, enhanced by a public footpath and plaza.
In Bülach, residents approved the design plan for the herti area in September 2025, paving the way for a new urban district south of the train station. The plan allows for buildings up to 36 meters in height, with the Sonnenhof area potentially reaching 54 meters at its northeast corner. This development will include around 240 rental apartments and 12,000 square meters for business and culture, with construction anticipated to begin in 2029 and conclude in 2034.
Back in Dübendorf, the 60-meter Sky Tower is currently under construction near Stettbach train station. The tower will house 150 rental apartments across 21 floors, offering a mix of 2, 3, and 4 room layouts, along with commercial space and an underground car park. The adjacent park, while private, is designed to be accessible to neighboring properties.Developed by Publica, the federal pension fund, Sky Tower is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, joining the neighboring Sorrento Tower in the skyline.
Winterthur’s “Rocket” Project Adapts to Economic Realities
the ambitious “Rocket & Tigerli” high-rise project in Winterthur’s Lokstadt district has undergone revisions. Originally planned as a wood hybrid construction, the 100-meter building will now be built using conventional steel and concrete due to economic and risk-related factors. despite this change, developers maintain a commitment to ecological sustainability. The project has also been revised to eliminate a planned hotel, adding approximately 50 additional apartments. Construction of the Rocket is scheduled to begin in mid-2027, with completion anticipated in 2030.
These projects collectively demonstrate a significant shift towards vertical urban development in the Zurich area, promising to reshape the region’s landscape and provide much-needed housing and commercial space for a growing population.
