History

Background
Swiss Post and PostFinance were already involved in the renovation of Bern's ice hockey stadium (now the "PostFinance-Arena") ahead of the 2009 World Championships and occupied some of the secondary office accommodation during the tournament year. The planned 13-storey building, which was given the go-ahead by Swiss Post’s Executive Management in June 2008, will be located just a few metres from this annex. In a referendum held on 30 November 2008, the population of Berne paved the way for planning permission (by means of a zoning change) with a "yes" vote exceeding 93%. The IGOR project submitted by “Büro B Architekten und Planer AG and Overhage & Roggo Architekten” won the architectural competition held in the first half of 2009. This team had already designed the Feusi education centre in nearby Wankdorffeld.

Second referendum
The scheme was launched on 11 August 2009. On board, alongside the architect team, were general contractor HRS, Swiss Post Real Estate and PostFinance Logistics. HRS submitted a planning application in December 2009. An additional referendum will be needed before the city can hand over the development site under a ground lease, in accordance with a unanimous decision taken by the city council on 8 April. This referendum is to be held on 13 June 2010.