Slums want events, landlords want peace and quiet. “Catch the fish” is the name of the collective that settled in the venerable Grandhotel Regina in Grindelwald BE. According to their own statements, the slum dwellers took over the now largely empty wellness baths and other facilities of the former luxury hotel.
The reasons for their actions are given in an anonymous letter by the slum dwellers that “Thuner Tagblatt” quotes in today’s edition that it would be “an absolute waste of already scarce living space, but also activity space.” In their eyes, “well-preserved” buildings are still empty.
Regina has been vacant for ten years. Right in the village centre. Not a good business card for the Grindelwald winter sports centre. Remo and Philipp Bienz bought the traditional house a few months ago. For 18.5 million francs. Since then, the community has been hoping for a fresh start for Regina.
The police do not know anything – the legal service is opened
Gemini Remo and Philipp Bienz are the owners of the real estate company Fortimo, which is predominantly based in eastern Switzerland and also develops projects in Dubai. With their acquisition of Regina and other properties, the many cultural events that took place in the former wellness area came to an end. “For safety reasons,” Fortimo’s manager Wolfgang Schmid told Thuner Tagblatt.
The Cinépool association, which held various events in the Regina spa until last winter, distanced itself from the invaders with a message it published on Facebook.
According to the “Fang den Fisch” collective, the ultimatum to leave the property expires on Christmas Eve. At the same time, Wolfgang Schmid of Fortimo is examining “action options” with the legal service. Bern cantonal police have not yet received any reports regarding Regina. (euro)