Leisure

Pre-Opening

The Papieri neighborhood opens its gates

Papieri's pre-opening day was full of intriguing glimpses, inquisitive visitors, insightful discussions, great entertainment, culinary delights and plenty for children to enjoy. Some 3,000 visitors were impressed by the changes to the area wrought by the development of the Papieri site.

Despite a spell of bad weather, the many visitors who attended the pre-opening event enjoyed exploring and mingling among listed buildings restored to new splendor and imposing new buildings on the central Papieri Platz.

Companies that will be based here in future presented their goods and services in displays in a marquee and on stage, apartments were explored using VR headsets and those who were interested could find out more about the third phase of construction by visiting the Janitor’s House. Thomy Jeker oversaw the entertainment program, which featured live music and a range of talks.

The audio tour on the miniature railway was a complete success. The locomotive shuttled back and forth, carrying almost 1,000 passengers of all ages along the emerging Maschinengasse to Cham's very own Muscle Beach and back again.

Video

From paper mill to a new neighborhood

The new Papieri neighborhood threw open its gates for the very first time on Saturday, September 17. Crowds of inquisitive visitors flocked to the many food stands, the lovingly decorated bar and the marquee where companies that will be based here in future showcased their goods and services.

Those in charge of the businesses to be based here were all positively surprised by the sheer amount of interest.

There was plenty for little ones to discover, too, including the new airplane-themed playground and the big slide from Papieri Platz to Maschinengasse.

There was huge interest and visitors flocked here in droves.
Convivial gathering at the event bar.
Thin & Crispy.
On-stage entertainment in front of Building A.
Catering area between the ramp building and high-rise L.
VR tours through apartments in the Kesselhaus.
The Kesselhaus is set to become the landmark place to eat in the new neighborhood.
Businesses present themselves.
Atelier 14 red carpet area in the commercial marquee.
Esther Schneebeli Portmann is due to open her dental practice on Papieri Platz in October.
Sanysaidup
An array of food trucks provided culinary delights.
Giant slide from Papieri Platz to Maschinengasse.
Insightful talks captivated the audience.
Florian Weber, Construction Director.
It was a «great day» for Thomas Aebischer, CEO of the Cham Group.
Mayor Georges Helfenstein with MC Thomy Jeker.
Round table discussion with the Construction Director, the Mayor and representatives of the Cham Group.
Lukas Fehr, Head of Development, and Thomas Aebischer, CEO of the Cham Group.

The excitement is mounting

Florian Weber, Construction Director for the canton of Zug, was full of praise for the development in Cham. Together with the Cham-Hünenberg bypass, the new Papieri neighborhood will provide around 1,000 jobs and apartments, thus helping to boost economic growth and quality of life in the canton. Mayor Georges Helfenstein referred to the 360-year history of the paper mill as he thanked the local people and the client for making this transformation possible.

It was a special day for Thomas Aebischer, CEO of the Cham Group: «Seeing this site become a neighborhood and full of life once more makes me so proud.»

Audio tour along Maschinengasse

Balloon trees

Most of the trees are yet to be planted in the new neighborhood, so trees made of hundreds of balloons were set up in their place. At the end of the event, these balloons were given away to the visitors, much to the delight of young and old alike. 

Papieri News