Swiss court blocks Küsnacht restaurant renovation after politician's challenge

A Swiss court has ruled against a municipal decision to renovate the historic Krone Forch restaurant in Küsnacht, marking a victory for local politician Hans-Peter Amrein. The popular establishment, built in 1783 and owned by the municipality since 1970, was slated for a CHF 7.2 million renovation. A previous renovation proposal failed in 2022, but an expanded version was approved by the municipal assembly in June 2025. However, the renovation stalled due to legal challenges. Amrein, known for his public criticism and legal scrutiny of municipal decisions, had filed an objection regarding the use of the second floor. He proposed that the space be used for a residence rather than guest rooms as planned. While the municipal president deemed his request inadmissible, Amrein pursued the matter through the courts. The administrative court ultimately sided with Amrein, though not directly on his initial proposal about the rooms. Instead, the court focused on the municipality's financial authority in approving the renovation budget, finding issues with how assets were categorized and managed.