What: Jelmoli department store closes its Bahnhofstrasse location after 125 years, with Manor set to occupy 13,000 square metres of the renovated building from 2027 as part of Swiss Prime Site's mixed-use development plan.

Why it is important: The redevelopment of this iconic retail location demonstrates how prime urban real estate is being reimagined to combine traditional department store retail with diverse commercial uses.

The Jelmoli department store on Zurich's Bahnhofstrasse has ended its 125-year presence, following Swiss Prime Site's decision to close and renovate the building. The closure, originally planned for end of 2024, was extended by two months. The renovation will adapt the property to current market requirements, with Manor occupying 13,000 square metres across three floors from 2027. The development plan includes a restaurant and additional space on upper floors dedicated to offices, restaurants, and leisure facilities, including a rooftop terrace. This transformation comes after Manor's previous departure from Bahnhofstrasse due to rent disputes. The building's history dates back to 1833 with Giovanni Pietro Guglielmoli, who became Johann Peter Jelmoli, and the Glass Palace's construction began in 1887, opening in 1899 as a pioneering fixed-price retail concept.

IADS Notes: The closure of Jelmoli's historic Bahnhofstrasse location paves the way for significant changes in Swiss retail. Manor's planned return in 2027 with a 13,000-square-metre concept comes as part of its broader CHF 50 million investment in store modernization . This transformation aligns with Manor's successful implementation of new retail concepts, as demonstrated by its fashion concept launches in Basel and Lausanne . While Jelmoli closes after 125 years of operations, Manor is actively expanding its presence, having already previewed its modernized approach in Geneva and planning additional renovations across its network . The redevelopment of the Jelmoli building, with Manor occupying three floors and additional space allocated for offices and restaurants, represents the latest evolution of this prime retail location . This change occurs as Swiss department stores adapt their strategies, with Manor's recent success in combining traditional retail with new service concepts showing promising results .

Jelmoli opened its doors for the last time on 28th February 2025