The Bel-Air Métropole is a major part of Lausanne’s building heritage. While its tower is one of the main landmarks in the city landscape, its two wings mark the area from the end of the Grand-Pont to Place Chauderon and link the level of Flon with that of Place Bel-Air.
The complex was built from 1929 to 1932 by the architect Alphonse Laverrière on behalf of entrepreneurs from Zurich. With its skyscraper, an element that was still uncommon in Europe, the project was an expression of American-style modernism and was supposed to represent development for the future for the Saint-François business centre. Its ambitious plan included shops, offices, housing, a restaurant and a 1600-seat cinema. Its technical equipment was state of the art and top of the line: electricity, gas, refrigerators, showers, telephone, etc. Laverrière thought of every detail of the building, developing ironwork and woodwork.
At the time of its construction, the Bel-Air Métropole created major controversy over the huge changes it was causing to the urban landscape. Today, the cinema hosts musical performances and ballets.
