Residential complex on the banks of the Rhine

The residential complex consisting of four houses is located in the Wettstein residential neighborhood adjacent to the pharmaceutical giant Hoffmann-La Roche. This unique plot on the right bank of the Rhine is situated on the site of the former children's hospital. In 2008, the cantonal government decided that the site of the former hospital would be released for "differentiated high-quality housing development," meaning that not only large luxury apartments would be built at this prestigious address, but also more affordable housing units. A year later, a competition took place, in which the jury chairman Fritz Schumacher selected the project named "Riva" (which was meant to evoke the relaxed atmosphere near the river) by the local architect duo Anna Jessen and Ingemar Vollenweider from twenty-nine proposals. The winning complex consists of a composition of four houses with six separate entrances. The wedge-shaped floor plans with rounded corners ensure that sunlight reaches all residential rooms, while the views of the river and the historic center of Basel are preserved for the houses in the back row. A total of 85 residential units have been created, ranging in size from 67 to 210 m². One-third of the apartments (25) have been sold (1-2 million francs), and two-thirds of the apartments (61) are intended for rent. The rent for a two-room apartment on the ground floor at the furthest end from the river is 1800 francs. At the opposite end of the offering is a six-room apartment on the top floor with a direct view of the river for 8350 francs per month. All four apartment buildings are connected by a basement, which contains 92 parking spaces.