Politics · Switzerland · 8 hrs ago
Lucerne opens central office building for 2,000 state employees
Lucerne has opened a new government building in Emmen for about 30 cantonal offices that were previously spread across the canton.
Around 2,000 employees will share 1,200 workstations, with part-time work and home working making the arrangement possible.
Staff are due to move in stages from mid-November 2026 to the end of February 2027; the government, its support offices and the cantonal parliament will remain in Lucerne city.
The building cost nearly 192 million francs, and the canton expects annual savings of 9 million francs, partly by ending rented offices and reducing travel between departments.
The site has only 66 parking spaces for operational and emergency vehicles, and no parking for employees’ private cars.
Some Emmen residents fear staff will take local parking spaces, while the canton says the site is well served by bus and train and that limiting parking supports public transport.
The canton of Lucerne has opened a new administrative building at Seetalplatz in Emmen.
About 2,000 cantonal employees from around 30 departments will work there.
The building has about 1,200 workstations, shared by employees through part-time work and home office.
The project cost nearly 192 million francs, and the canton expects annual savings of 9 million francs.
Employees are due to move in stages from mid-November 2026 to the end of February 2027.
- Who
- The canton of Lucerne and about 2,000 cantonal employees.
- What
- Lucerne opened a central administrative building for around 30 departments.
- When
- The building was inaugurated on 29 October 2026. Staff are due to move in stages from mid-November 2026 to the end of February 2027.
- Where
- Seetalplatz in Emmen, in the canton of Lucerne.
- Why
- The canton says centralising offices will simplify cooperation and save money, including by ending many rental agreements.
Emmen residents concerned about parking
Lucerne cantonal government
Parking
Emmen residents concerned about parking
Residents fear cantonal employees will take local parking spaces.
Lucerne cantonal government
The government says there will be no parking for private cars at the building.
Transport policy
Emmen residents concerned about parking
The article does not state a specific resident position on transport policy.
Lucerne cantonal government
Finance director Reto Wyss says the decision is intended to support public transport.
The canton of Lucerne inaugurated its new administrative building at Seetalplatz in Emmen.
Employees are due to move into the building in stages.
- Location
- Seetalplatz, Emmen
- Employees
- About 2,000 cantonal staff
- Departments
- Around 30
- Workstations
- About 1,200
- Construction cost
- Nearly 192 million francs
- Expected annual savings
- 9 million francs
1 source
What people are saying
This is a national flagship project.
This is a conscious decision.
We wanted to contribute to promoting public transport.