Simply insane: resort residents outraged by skyscraper project in the Alps (4 photos)

The tourism boom in Zermatt, Switzerland, has led to an unexpected initiative. A local hotelier and architect has proposed building a 260-meter skyscraper next to one of the world's most recognizable mountains, the Matterhorn.





The popularity of Zermatt, a small resort town in the Swiss Alps, continues to grow. Its permanent population is around 6,000, but swells to 40,000 in winter. Affordable housing, however, is very scarce. This creates problems for both tourists and local businesses, who are forced to find apartments for their employees. A local hotelier has proposed a solution: a 260-meter skyscraper right next to the legendary Matterhorn.

Heinz Julen, a 61-year-old hotelier and architect, presented an ambitious project to build a skyscraper near Zermatt. Local residents were outraged by the proposal. Most called the idea crazy and a threat to the town.

"Why not put the building right on the Matterhorn, build apartments inside, and install an elevator to the top?" one Zermatt resident asked sarcastically. "If the building is tall enough to block the view of the mountain, tourists might stop coming, and housing prices might fall."



The skyscraper, dubbed "Lina Peak," will house housing for local residents, as well as hundreds of foreigners who work seasonally in the city's hotels and restaurants. They will occupy floors two through thirty-two. The top 30 floors will be reserved for apartments aimed at wealthy foreign investors.





"The housing shortage is a serious problem. Many residents are forced to move due to a lack of affordable housing on the market," Julen told Swiss public broadcaster SRF. The project requires an investment of €500 million. If the funds are found, the building could be completed by 2034.