Basel approves Dreispitz Nord project with Switzerland's tallest residential towers

The Basel cantonal parliament has approved a major zoning overhaul and master plan for the Dreispitz Nord urban development project. Located on a former commercial site, the project aims to transform a parking-heavy area into a modern residential neighborhood.

Supported by the Christoph Merian Stiftung and the Migros cooperative, the development will include approximately 800 apartments, retail spaces, offices, a secondary school, and two public parks totaling roughly 16,000 square meters. A key feature of the plan includes three residential towers designed by the architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron. These structures, reaching heights of 124, 138, and 151 meters, are expected to become the tallest residential buildings in Switzerland.

Urban planners noted that the shift toward vertical expansion is necessary because Basel-Stadt has limited greenfield land available for suburban expansion. Construction is projected to begin as early as 2028, subject to the resolution of potential legal challenges.