BIS Tower

BIS Tower
BIS Tower from the northwest with the base building housing the auditorium in the foreground
Interactive map of the BIS Tower area
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeAdministrative building
Architectural styleModernism
LocationCentral Railway Station 2, Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Coordinates47°32′53.05″N 7°35′30.37″E / 47.5480694°N 7.5917694°E / 47.5480694; 7.5917694
Construction started1972
Construction stopped1977
OpenedMay 9, 1977
OwnerBIS
Height
Height69,5
Technical details
MaterialSteel, Reinforced concrete
Floor count20
Grounds30'000 m²
Design and construction
ArchitectMartin Burckhardt (Architekt)
Architecture firmBurckhardt and Partner Ltd.
Other information
Number of roomsaround 600

The BIS Tower, also known as the BIS high-rise (German: BIZ-Hochhaus), is a 69.5-meter-high administrative tower and headquarters of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) in Basel, Switzerland. Designed by architect Martin Burckhardt and built between 1972 and 1977, the tower is a landmark of the Central Railway Station and the city of Basel. From the year of its construction until 2003, it was the third tallest building in the city. The BIS Tower dominates the Basel skyline with its striking silhouette, and its color scheme and aesthetics set the style for several commercial and administrative buildings in the 1970s.

By a special agreement and international conventions, the building has a special legal status (Art. 3 Agreement of February 10, 1987). In addition to its function as administrative headquarters, the building is regularly used by the BIS for international meetings and conferences.