Business · Companies · 23 hrs ago
Luzern seeks 1.84 million francs to help secure Kleintheater’s future
Luzern’s Kleintheater has secured a place in a planned new building from 2033, after its current home is demolished.
The theatre, founded in 1967, faced closure because the building’s owner, the Luzern pension fund, said it could not afford to include the venue in the redevelopment.
The new lease will bring market-rate rent, which the theatre’s director expects to be about three times higher.
The theatre wants to keep its current mix of ticket sales, public support and private contributions, without raising ticket prices or changing its programme.
It needs to raise eight million francs for the new space and higher rent, including guarantees of one million francs by summer 2027 and another four million the following year.
Luzern’s government is seeking 1.84 million francs from the city for the theatre’s fit-out.
The city parliament is expected to discuss the request in mid-December, and foundations are also expected to contribute.
Luzern’s city government is seeking a special credit of 1.84 million francs to help fund the Kleintheater’s premises.
The theatre is due to move into a planned new building in 2033, but expects its rent to triple.
The theatre’s foundation must provide a guarantee of one million francs by summer 2027 and a further four million francs the following year.
The theatre plans to keep its current mix of ticket sales, public funding and private contributions, without raising ticket prices or changing its programme.
The city parliament is expected to consider the credit in mid-December.
- Who
- Luzern’s city government is seeking the credit for the Kleintheater.
- What
- It has asked the city parliament to approve 1.84 million francs for fitting out the theatre’s premises.
- When
- The city government’s request was reported on 8 November 2026. Parliament is expected to consider it in mid-December.
- Where
- Luzern, Switzerland.
- Why
- The theatre needs money for the fit-out and higher rent in a planned new building.
Luzern Pension Fund (LUPK)
Kleintheater Luzern
Use of the building
Luzern Pension Fund (LUPK)
LUPK plans to replace its existing building and says the theatre cannot be accommodated there on economic grounds.
Kleintheater Luzern
The theatre has secured a place in the planned new building from 2033.
Rent and financial terms
Luzern Pension Fund (LUPK)
LUPK will charge market-rate rent and is seeking financial guarantees before the theatre’s interior fit-out is secured.
Kleintheater Luzern
The theatre expects its rent to triple and needs support to cover the fit-out and higher costs.
The Kleintheater’s future was in doubt after the pension fund said it planned to replace the building and could not accommodate the theatre.
A rental contract is set to give the Kleintheater space in the planned new building.
The Kleintheater foundation must provide a guarantee of one million francs.
A further four million francs will be due.
The Luzern city parliament is expected to consider the city government’s proposed 1.84 million-franc credit.
- Proposed city credit
- 1.84 million francs
- Total amount the theatre must raise
- 8 million francs
- Expected rent increase
- Threefold
- Guarantee due by summer 2027
- 1 million francs
- Further guarantee due the following year
- 4 million francs
What people are saying
Our task is to secure the pensions of the insured.
We expect the rent to triple.
In this way, the city of Luzern is fulfilling its cultural policy responsibility and creating an essential condition for further project planning with the involvement of the Kleintheater.