Former Grand Garage du Jura, Commercial building in New City North, Switzerland
The former Grand Garage du Jura is a commercial building in Biel constructed in 1929 that combined workshop, exhibition, and office spaces in one structure. The building holds four residential units on upper levels and organizes its floors with large windows and a semi-circular staircase tower that rises along one side.
Eduard Schmid designed the building in 1929, and it quickly became the leading distribution center for Ford vehicles in the Biel-Seeland and Berner Jura regions. The combination of garage and residential space reflected how modern businesses were structured in Switzerland at that time.
The curved facade and semi-circular staircase tower represent the Bieler Moderne style that defined early 20th-century Biel. This architectural language shaped how the city expressed its modern ambitions through commercial and residential buildings.
The building is located in Biel's New City North district and is easily accessible on foot or by public transportation. When visiting, take time to look at the facade and notice the rooftop terrace, as the site shows the mixing of practical function and living space typical of this era.
The rooftop garden terrace is an unexpected feature that connected the gap between workshop and home, offering residents a private outdoor space with views across Biel. This blend of commercial function and personal living space was a rare solution in the 1920s.
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