| Rote Fabrik | |
|---|---|
 Rote Fabrik, viewed from Seestrasse | |
 Interactive map of the Rote Fabrik area | |
| General information | |
| Location | Zurich, Switzerland, Seestrasse 395 |
| Completed | 1892; 134 years ago (1892) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Carl Arnold Séquin-Bronner |
| Architecture firm | Sequin and Knobel |
| Website | |
| rotefabrik | |
Rote Fabrik (lit. 'Red Factory') is a formerfactory in theWollishofen neighbourhood ofZurich, Switzerland. It is now used as amusic venue andcultural centre. It is so named because the buildings are made of red brick, but also because left-wing parties were part of the campaign to turn the location into a cultural centre.
The Rote Fabrik was built in 1892 for the Seidenfirma Henneberg company, according to a design by the architectCarl Arnold Séquin-Bronner. In 1899, the Henneberg company was taken over by the Stünzi Söhne Seidenwebereien company, based inHorgen. In 1940, the factory was taken over by theITT Corporation. In 1972, the city acquired the factory and planned to demolish the building in order to widen the adjacent Seestrasse.[citation needed]
In 1974 theSocial Democratic Party of Switzerland (SP) launched a proposal to transform the factory building in theWollishofen neighbourhood ofZurich into a cultural centre.[citation needed] The derelict factory wassquatted.[1] As a result, studios were set up for artists and cultural events were held. In 1977, voters made the choice for the preservation of the building and use as a cultural centre.[citation needed] It was planned to host exhibitions and events and to serve as a music venue.[2]
In 1980, it became known that the ZurichOpernhaus (Zurich Opera House) was renting the Rote Fabrik for storage space and that it would be granted CHF 61 million for renovations. Youth activists were outraged that there was no money for a social centre. A three-day festival at the opera house began on 30 May 1980 and around 200 uninvited young protesters came to demand an autonomous youth centre. TheStadtpolizei Zürich and stateKantonspolizei Zürich police corps had been informed beforehand, and stationed themselves in the foyer of the opera house. When the young people occupied the stairs, the demonstration became a street battle, the police using water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets.[2][3] The riots became known as theOpernhauskrawalle (Opera House riots).[3]A first political compromise was the so-calledAJZ, a temporary youth centre nearZurich main station. The most prominent politician involved wasEmilie Lieberherr, then member of the city's executive (Stadtrat) authority.[3][4]
On 25 October 1980, the cultural centre Rote Fabrik opened. Music and theater were the focus of activities. Some independent theater groups which gained increasing influence in the local cultural scene made their debuts at the Rote Fabrik. A referendum in 1987 decided that the Rote Fabrik should be used as an alternative cultural centre and also subsidised.[5]
The centre has hosted authors such asGünter Grass andAlice Schwarzer and bands such asBad Religion,Manu Chao,Nirvana and theRed Hot Chili Peppers.[6] The centre also has a contemporary art gallery called the Shedhalle and a restaurant, Ziegel oh Lac.[6]
In the early 1990s, the area was redeveloped. In 2002, the subsidies were adjusted to 2.3 million francs. With this money it became possible to organise more than 300 events annually.[citation needed]
In 2012, a large fire fought by 50 firemen destroyed artists studios.[7] A history of the Rote Fabrik entitledBewegung tut gut (Movement is good) was published in 2021.[8]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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47°20′36″N8°32′12″E / 47.34333°N 8.53667°E /47.34333; 8.53667
