Geneva authorities have ordered an immediate halt to nighttime construction work at the Hotel Richemond following a series of noise complaints from local residents. The project, involving the installation of decorative hoardings, had been granted an overnight permit by the Office des autorisations de construire under the assurance that the work would generate no disturbances, according to the Office for Transport (OCT).
Regulatory Oversight and the “No-Noise” Promise
The controversy emerged after residents on the Place des Alpes reported four consecutive nights of industrial noise, including hammering on metal surfaces and sawing, occurring between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. The project was commissioned to update the perimeter hoardings of the historic hotel, now owned by the Emirati group Jumeirah.
According to Sébastien Deshusses, spokesperson for the OCT, the authorization for nighttime work was originally granted to minimize traffic disruption in a district already heavily impacted by multiple hotel renovation projects. However, the permit was contingent on an explicit pledge from the applicant that the installation would be silent. “This commitment was not kept,” Deshusses stated. Following formal complaints from neighbors, the Cantonal Construction Inspection department intervened and revoked the nighttime privileges.
Did you know?
Local authorities in Geneva often grant nighttime construction permits for road-related work to avoid daytime gridlock, but these permits are strictly regulated by the Office of Construction Authorizations to protect residential sleep quality.
The Breakdown of Project Accountability
While the Jumeirah group confirmed the work was authorized by cantonal offices, the actual approvals originated from cantonal offices. The project’s general contractor, Alpenda, has not responded to inquiries regarding why the work resulted in significant noise despite assurances provided to regulators.
Other entities previously linked to the site have distanced themselves from the current activity. Grisoni, the firm that originally installed the site hoardings, confirmed they were not involved in the nocturnal operations. Similarly, the architectural firm Itten-Brechbuehl reported they are no longer managing the execution of the site works.
Urban Development and Residential Impact
For residents like Barbara, a local inhabitant who spoke with 20 minutes, the experience underscores a frustration with how urban development is managed in high-density areas. The noise forced residents to choose between the heat of a summer wave and the sounds of construction, as closing windows provided no relief from the noise. The work has since been shifted to daytime hours, requiring the closure of the Rue Adhémar-Fabri to traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why was construction allowed at night in a residential area?
The Office for Transport granted the permit to reduce traffic congestion during the day, provided the work was silent. - Who is responsible for the noise violations?
The Cantonal Construction Inspection identified that the “no-noise” commitment was breached, leading to an order to stop all nighttime activities. - Is the hotel renovation still ongoing?
Yes, while the specific decorative work on the hoardings caused the recent complaints, the broader renovation of the property continues under different parameters.
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