In what will be good news for swimmers in the largest city in the Romande, authorities in Geneva have announced that they will be totally redeveloping a significant part of the waterfront. The upgrades to the Quai Wilson will see the area transformed from a lakefront boulevard into an accessible public swimming area.

Quai Wilson in Geneva to get major upgrade

According to the plans unveiled by the city on November 14, Quai Wilson, in front of the famous Hotel President Wilson, will be completely renovated in the next few years. The local council confirmed that it had now chosen a winner out of the 34 different designs submitted to regenerate the area.

Currently, the area around Quai Wilson consists of a lakefront walking path and a harbour, with swimmers having to scale harbour walls or use boating ramps to get in the water. However, with the prospect of heatwaves becoming increasingly likely every summer, city authorities told 20 Minuten that public swimming pools need to be expanded and made more accessible.

Accessible swimming coming to Geneva lakefront

Under the confirmed plans, proposed by local firm Dellacherie Neyroud Architectes, the entire area will be transformed into a freely accessible swimming area. Called “Les Marches de Théia” (Steps of Théia), the graduated seating will lead to a series of human-made swimming pools of varying depths, all fed by the lake. The plans are meant to invite “everyone to take a break, contemplate or simply take a dip”, the architects wrote.

Speaking to 20 Minuten project lead Christophe Neyroud said the design was meant to give swimmers a stunning view of the city, mountains and lakeside. The design will use stone from the local area and also feature large trees in order to provide shade. The total price of the project is estimated to be around 3 million francs.

Geneva authorities praise Quai Wilson project

For their part, the local council of Geneva praised the design for its “simplicity.” Geneva Department of Security and Sport head Marie Barbey-Chpuis told 20 Minuten that the plan is partly a response to the increasing number of people swimming in all weather. “It is also a quality of life issue”, she added, explaining that the pool could serve to attract more workers and businesses to the region.

So far, the project is expected to get underway in 2026 and be completed by 2029. In the meantime, the authorities confirmed that a temporary refreshment bar, shower and locker facility will be put in place in the area next summer.

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