Maag Halle

Maag Halle is an event hall in western Zürich, in the Kreis 5 district at Hardstrasse 219. It stands on the former Maag industrial site and, since the early 2000s, has been one of the city's best-known venues for concerts, musicals and parties.

How did this place come about?

The site's story begins with industry. From 1908 the engineer Max Maag worked on a new gear-tooth system, and in 1913 he founded the Max Maag Zahnräderfabrik gear factory at Hardstrasse 219. Before that, the buildings housed the company Safir Automobile. The last Maag operations left the site in 2004, although some sources say production in the building itself ended as early as 2001.

In 2002 the buildings were taken over by MAAG Music & Arts AG, which has run the unsubsidised hall ever since. It was originally meant to be temporary: the hall was built for the musical "Deep" (staged 2002-2003) and was supposed to disappear after three years. Instead it stayed and became a fixture of Zürich's cultural scene.

What can you see here?

The complex has several spaces of different character:

• Auditorium - a theatre layout with a stage and 925 seats, designed for musicals among other things. The operator lists productions such as "Sister Äct", "Ewigi Liebi" and "Traumfrau" as examples.
• Foyer - a space for concerts and parties for up to 900 people.
• Club (Härterei) - a room for concerts and parties of up to 1,000 people.

Capacity figures vary by source: the operator mentions up to 1,200 people for the hall as a whole, while the Swiss Stadia and Arena association lists 932. Check the operator's current information before your visit.

While the Tonhalle and Kongresshaus were being renovated, the Maag site also served as a temporary venue for the Zürcher Tonhalle-Orchester.

Is the hall under threat?

Yes, its future is uncertain. The site's owner, Swiss Prime Site, plans to replace the ensemble with new construction, keeping only one building. This follows a building decision issued by the city in June 2023. The Swiss heritage society Heimatschutz has placed the halls on its Red List of endangered buildings. The current state of the demolition plans is hard to determine with certainty, so it is worth checking recent news before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Maag Halle? In Zürich's Kreis 5 district, at Hardstrasse 219.

What was it before? An industrial site: first the company Safir Automobile, then from 1913 the Maag gear factory.

What events take place here? Musicals, concerts and parties, depending on the room: the auditorium, the foyer or the club.

Will the hall continue to exist? That is not certain. The owner intends to replace most of the buildings, while heritage groups are campaigning to preserve them.