Roche to plan alternative workplace development

Roche has dropped its plans for a high-rise building in Basel and is now developing an alternative project to consolidate its workplaces.

According to the company, a high-investment scheme to bring all 1,700-plus workplaces together in a high-rise complex was discontinued due to "technical reasons" and also cited potential difficulties in maintaining and operating issues.

In addition, several central meeting rooms and a 500-seat auditorium would have had to be cut from the plans.

Franz B Humer, chairman of Roche’s board of directors, said changing the proposals was a tough decision.

He commented: "All our projects ultimately have to withstand an exhaustive business analysis.

"But the professional development work carried out by everyone involved in planning the building deserves great recognition."

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