À propos de ce lieu
Completed in 1931 on the western edge of Lausanne's old town, the Tour Bel-Air holds the proud title of Switzerland's first skyscraper. Standing around fifty three metres tall with a main tower of twenty floors, it was the daring work of architect Alphonse Laverriere for the Zurich developer Eugen Scotoni. Laverriere raised an American style steel skeleton and clad it in natural stone, so the building feels both boldly modern and reassuringly Swiss. Its wings step down toward the Flon, and Art Deco glass blocks decorate the entrance. Built into its base is the Salle Metropole, a grand theatre and concert hall that still draws audiences today, making the tower a small vertical city of shops, offices, apartments and culture.
À retenir
- 1931 year — Switzerland's very first skyscraper rose above the Flon valley
- 53 metres — Height of the main tower's twenty floors, scandalously bold for its day
- 1600 seats — Capacity of the Salle Metropole concert hall built into its base
📍 Place Bel-Air 1, 1003, Lausanne