Züri West: exploring the coolest neighborhood in Zurich with Michelle Hunziker

Among Swiss cities, it is definitely the most unconventional: Zurich has always represented the most cosmopolitan, free, and rebellious face of Switzerland. After all, it was here that the Street Parade, the most important techno festival in the world, was born in the 1990s. We visited some corners of the city with a special guest: Michelle Hunziker, ambassador of Switzerland Tourism.

Anyone who envisions a stuffy city is mistaken. Because behind Zurich's apparent rigor lies a vibrant city, bustling with events of all kinds, creatively intelligent and curious. This can be sensed in the air - busy and lively - and is recognized by visiting one of the 50 museums and over 100 valuable galleries, from Kunsthaus to Museum für Gestaltung, passing through the Migros Museum and the Luma Foundation. Representing the heart of contemporary Zurich is Züri West, a former industrial area that has now become a trendy district offering galleries, museums, concert venues, shops, but above all, space. Space to think and to experiment. Just three hours by train from Milan, Zurich is that close, very close Europe that often needs to be breathed in to regain inspiration and nourishment.

We discovered some of its most interesting spots with Michelle Hunziker, who describes Zurich: >.

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Züri West is perhaps one of the best examples of urban regeneration in Europe: here, where ships were once built and engines were assembled, today people come to listen to a jazz concert, enjoy a beer at one of the many open-air venues, attend an exhibition, or explore shops of all kinds. >, Michelle Hunziker continues.

We visited some must-see places in the neighborhood:

The protagonist of the neighborhood is undoubtedly the Prime Tower, the second tallest building in Switzerland, an architectural work by the Swiss firm Gigon/Guyer that has shaped Zurich's skyline since its construction in 2011. Standing 126 meters tall with 36 floors, it combines hundreds of apartments with green areas, shops, and eateries. Don't miss a visit to The Clouds restaurant on the 35th floor, for an amazing dinner with a spectacular view of the city at either the Kitchen Restaurant or the more informal Bistrot, or a cocktail at sunset.

Prime Tower

Hardstrasse 201

It was in 1993 when Daniel and Markus Freitag designed their first "messenger" bag made from truck tarps. This was the birth of the Freitag brand and its iconic bags - now known worldwide - made from recycled truck tarps, bicycle tires, and seat belts. In Zürich-West, the brand's flagship store has become a cult location: composed of stacked containers that were once shipped by sea, it is a kind of "bonsai skyscraper" (as the Freitag brothers like to call it) that attracts customers from everywhere.

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Freitag Shop Zurich

Geroldstrasse 17

A place with an ex-industrial charm dedicated to those seeking independent brands and curated realities. Under the arches of the railway viaduct built in 1894, trendy restaurants, boutiques, and shops offering crafts and design are now nestled. An urban gathering place stretching 500 meters, it is a true paradise for the most original and creative shopping, featuring gourmet specialty shops, ateliers, and galleries. The heart of the district is the Markthalle, the covered market where twenty farmers and food merchants from the surrounding area offer their products.

Once an industrial warehouse, today an essential cultural temple of the city: this is the story of Schiffbau, a protected monument where ships were once built. With its theater and concert hall, it hosts performances, concerts, and cultural events. The venue also houses the trendy restaurant LaSalle and the Nietturm bar, which can be accessed via an elevator for a panoramic view over the entire western Zurich area.

Schiffbau

Schiffbaustrasse 4

Design and visual communication, art and architecture, photography and media: the Museum für Gestaltung in Zurich is the city's reference point for all contemporary arts enthusiasts, and it is the only Swiss institution dedicated to design culture since 1875. The museum has two locations: the historical one, situated on Austellungstrasse not far from the Swiss National Museum, and an exhibition space in Zurich West, inside the Hochschule der Künste, the Zurich University of the Arts, which hosts temporary exhibitions on contemporary themes. The Le Corbusier Pavilion, located by the lake, is also a must-see. The museum also organizes workshops, concerts, and debates on the exhibitions. >, Michelle Hunziker continues. >.

Those who love water cannot remain indifferent to the role this element plays in the life of the city: in Zurich, both the lake and the river are intensely experienced, especially in summer. During this season, the lake attracts water sports enthusiasts, and people come to the river to swim with friends after work. Parks are maintained with a great sense of harmony and beauty. It is very important to create natural spaces in cities, and the Swiss know how to do it very well. I always say: my heart is Italian, but I would love for us to take inspiration from our Swiss neighbors while respecting the environment>>, Michelle continues.

Here are two places to keep in mind if you love spending moments of relaxation near the water.

Nestled in the park along the Limmat River, Stazione Paradiso is one of the city's most beloved summer hotspots. Its structure is an out-of-service S-Bahn train car from Berlin, and the numerous open-air chairs and benches invite you to enjoy the slow passage of spring and summer days. But Stazione Paradiso is also worth a visit in the fall when it becomes a cozy gathering place immersed in nature.

Stazione Paradiso

Wasserwerkstrasse 89A

Just a few meters away from Stazione Paradiso is Il >, the bar-cafeteria where creativity fills every corner: here you can come for a coffee or enjoy a cocktail, but also to work on your computer or take a dance class. Here is home to the Tanzhaus, a space for discovery and experimentation in dance where you can attend workshops and seminars on this artistic discipline. >, concludes Michelle Hunziker. >.

Tanzhaus and Nude bar

Wasserwerkstrasse 127A