Picture this: Villa Mooser-Nef. A stately home on Zurich’s shores. This isn’t just any house. It’s a piece of Zurich’s history a testament to the city’s past.
The Villa Mooser-Nef stands proudly. It’s more than a building. It’s a snapshot of early 20th-century bourgeois life. Completely preserved. This architectural gem was originally the home of architect Emil Staehli. He and his team Niedermann & Staehli designed it. The villa bears the name of the Mooser-Nef family. They lived there from 1923 onwards.
The year is 1912. The villa was built. Some say it was 1915. Records are a little hazy. Regardless it’s a landmark. It’s a reminder of a simpler time. A time of elegant living on the shores of Lake Zurich.
But the story doesn’t end there. In 1990 the city of Zurich bought the property. It cost 2.5 million Swiss francs. The city wanted to build a lakeside path. The path would connect a shipyard to a boat harbor. It was never fully completed in its original design. The former owners Helena and Elisabeth Mooser had lifelong tenancy rights. They lived in the villa until 2000.
After their passing the villa became a shared residence. Later Matthias Hartmann lived there. Current residents pay a substantial sum. They pay 3.2 million francs for the property. They also pay an annual ground rent of 250000 francs. Their lease is for 60 years. It’s renewable twice for 15 years each.
Beyond the main villa there’s more. A boathouse and a bathhouse exist. Both are part of the ensemble. They were built in 1924 and a garage in 1939. The entire property underwent renovation starting in 2004. It’s a beautiful example of well-preserved bourgeois residential culture. A true Zurich treasure. The Villa Mooser-Nef. A place to remember. A place to visit. A piece of Zurich’s enduring legacy.