The BLKB headquarters on Rheinstrasse in Liestal will undergo a comprehensive renewal after nearly 50 years and will be tailored to future requirements. The primary focus will be on modernising the building's technology, significantly improving energy efficiency, and refurbishing the building envelope. Simultaneously, the spaces will be adapted to future usage needs. As the work cannot be carried out during ongoing operations, the location has been temporarily relocated during the construction period. With the relocation of the customer hall completed on 11 May 2026, the departure from the headquarters was finalised. Since then, the customer hall, along with the advisors, has been temporarily situated at Bahnhofplatz 13 in Liestal. Other headquarters employees had already moved to interim locations at Liestal train station and in Spenglerpark in Münchenstein.
As a sustainably oriented bank, BLKB has opted for renovation instead of a new build to continue using well-preserved building structures: 'With the renovation and thanks to new energy-efficient technology, BLKB commits to a responsible handling of existing resources and acts with a forward-looking approach. The headquarters will be comprehensively modernised while maintaining its character,' says Christoph Schär, Head of Technology & Corporate Services and Deputy CEO of BLKB.
Through the renovation, BLKB is making a long-term investment in its region, creating space and flexibility for future developments. As part of the renovation, additional parts of the ground floor and the outdoor areas will be opened to the public. 'With the planned opening of the ground floor towards the city space, a new gathering place arises. The project considers the historical heritage of our over 160-year history but also adds value to the city, its residents, and the cityscape,' says Schär. In the future, BLKB will offer its customers a modern, open customer zone with advisory counters, consultation rooms, and lounge areas. The entrance situation will also be improved: the BLKB headquarters will now be accessible from both the train station and Rheinstrasse.
'BLKB's renovation project is not only a showcase for sustainability but also integrates well into our cityscape. Thanks to the opening of the building to the public, with high-quality relaxation spaces and shorter paths, the project creates great added value for the population,' says Daniel Spinnler, Mayor of Liestal.
He continues: 'This project is an important piece of the Rheinstrasse master plan. Over the coming decades, this plan aims to strengthen the quality of stays, life, and value creation in the currently underused area along Rheinstrasse: We are very pleased that the BLKB project marks the start of the master plan's realisation and that the renovated BLKB headquarters will be the southern gateway to the new Rheinstrassen district,' Spinnler adds.
The urban planning concepts for the BLKB headquarters were developed in a workshop process that also involved the city of Liestal, the canton of Basel-Landschaft, and other experts. The renovation project is currently in the design phase, with the start of the building application procedure planned by the end of 2026.
The current BLKB renovation project has been developed by Basel architects Christ & Gantenbein, who were responsible for the 'UNO' commercial building at Liestal train station, which commenced operations in 2011.
'Our goal is to create a tangible added value for the city of Liestal, its residents, and BLKB. Central to this are the enhancement of the area through new pathways and the redesign of the Floragarden, located on the Floraweg side. In doing so, we create attractive connections to the Rheinstrassen district and make the area accessible and experienceable,' says architect Daniel Monheim of Christ & Gantenbein. Additionally, the renovated BLKB headquarters will be adapted to meet the needs of a modern and forward-looking work environment: small office spaces will be replaced by larger, more flexible zones.
In order for BLKB to concentrate all central units at one location and create future flexibility, all building sections will be raised by one floor. The main usable area of the building will thus increase by approximately 2,500 square meters (plus ~ 25%) to around 12,400 square meters. The usable area for the bank will be approximately 9,200 square meters, with around 1,200 square meters allocated for public areas. Approximately 2,000 square meters are intended for third-party uses.
BLKB is investing CHF 92 million in the renovation project. The renovated headquarters is designed for 800 BLKB employees. BLKB has set the goal of awarding as many contracts as possible in northwestern Switzerland for the renovation so that regional businesses can also benefit from the investments. The tender phase for contracts to craft businesses will begin in summer 2027.
BLKB places significant importance on preserving valuable building substance. The aim is to reuse as many components as possible. This applies, for example, to both the light outer facade made of regional limestone and the metal windows. The renovated building meets the requirements for an SNBS-Gold certification (Standard for Sustainable Building Switzerland): This certification is awarded to buildings constructed according to all dimensions of sustainability and whose costs are optimised over their life cycle.
Media contact: Sandro Spaeth, Phone: +41 61 925 81 53, Email: medien@blkb.ch