It has been nearly a year and a half since work began on the complete renovation of the Salève cable car stations. This iconic landmark of Greater Geneva is one of architect Maurice Braillard’s most remarkable works, and its renovation will offer visitors a unique experience.
A gradual reopening starting in mid-July
As of now, the structural work is nearing completion. This work is expected to be finished by spring, and the cable car should therefore be able to resume operations starting in mid-July 2023. At that time, not all components of the project will be complete; they will open to the public gradually over the course of the summer.
It is nevertheless important to note that this construction project—particularly the structural work, which is nearing completion—is subject to several uncertainties that could affect this tentative schedule:
- The construction site is located at high altitude, so the renovation work is subject to winter weather conditions, as is the case with any mountain construction project.
- Given the current global economic and geopolitical climate, delays in the supply of materials are a source of uncertainty.
As for the restaurant, a call for bids was issued in the summer of 2022, and the selection process is currently underway.
The renovation project
As for the upper station, which is listed as a historic monument, the renovation will include, among other things, the creation of a panoramic restaurant with approximately 100 seats above the arrival hall, a seminar room with 30 seats, a modern café also with 30 seats and featuring a terrace with nearly 180 seats, and a rooftop observation deck at the top of the station with a terrace seating 20 people. But also:
- a 20-meter-high climbing wall supervised by an instructor
- a museum area and a botanical trail organized and developed by the Maison du Salève
About
The Local Cross-Border Cooperation Group for the Operation of the Saléve Cable Car (GLCT TS) comprises the Republic and Canton of Geneva, Annemasse Agglo, and the municipality of Monnetier-Mornex. As the owner of the facility, it is, in this capacity, the project manager for the renovation work, which has been entrusted to the Paris-based architectural firm Devaux & Devaux (DDA).