immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Author: immovestuser

  • Data partnership transforms decision-making processes in the property portfolio

    Data partnership transforms decision-making processes in the property portfolio

    OPTIML and Scaler have entered into a strategic partnership. According to a press release, the aim is to combine Scaler’s infrastructure for sustainable property data with OPTIML’s decision-making intelligence. This is intended to provide portfolio managers with a data-driven, verifiable and dynamic basis for decisions on refinancing and capital allocation, as well as insights into a sensible sequence for sustainable investments in existing portfolios.

    To this end, the new partners intend to contribute their respective expertise. Scaler offers a data infrastructure for buildings and portfolios that encompasses operational, technical and sustainability data. OPTIML’s proprietary Real Estate Decision Intelligence (REDI) software, a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH), combines this data with digital building models of engineering quality.

    In addition to optimising investments and their sequencing, the partners cite further benefits of their collaboration, including the harmonisation of data flows for assets and portfolios across systems and regions, the improvement of analysis for retrofitting and investment scenarios, and the strengthening of reporting to regulators and investors with verifiable and decision-relevant results.

    “By combining Scaler’s data infrastructure with OPTIML’s decision intelligence, we offer portfolio managers a closed-loop system in which every investment decision is based on real performance data and is continuously optimised as conditions change,” says Scaler co-founder and CIO Luc Van De Boom. The partnership bridges the gap between operational data and institutional capital decisions, explains OPTIML co-founder and CEO Dr Evan Petkov: “Data alone does not create an advantage. Investors need optimisation and governance to transform this data into actionable measures. Together, we offer real estate professionals a dynamic decision-making system for the world’s largest asset class.”

  • Wind measurements provide the basis for new energy projects

    Wind measurements provide the basis for new energy projects

    According to a press release,Zürich Wind will begin wind measurements in Zünikon, in the municipality of Wiesendangen, during the week of 16 March. The 125-metre-high mast does not need to be connected to the electricity grid. It is powered entirely by solar panels and a battery storage system. Two further measurement masts are to be erected in Ossingen and Rickenbach after the Easter holidays.

    The masts are to collect data on wind conditions and bat activity at their locations for at least one year. This data will form the basis for a yield forecast. If this indicates that the use of wind energy at this location is economically viable, Zürich Wind will commission an environmental impact assessment as the next step.

    Zürich Wind publishes the measurement data on its website. “Zürich Wind is one of the first project developers in the Swiss wind energy sector to publish wind measurement data as early as the data collection phase,” says Pascal Müller of Zürich Wind in the press release.

    Zürich Wind is a joint venture between the electricity utilities of the canton and the city of Zurich, EKZ and ewz, and the municipal utility of Winterthur.

  • Spectacular cultural building sets new architectural trends

    Spectacular cultural building sets new architectural trends

    Nüssli, the construction services provider based in Hüttwilen, celebrated the topping-out ceremony for the extension to the Mack Pyramid in Monheim am Rhein on 8 March 2026, in the presence of the building’s namesake, Heinz Mack. With this extension, the company – which specialises in temporary event structures – is realising an “architecturally ambitious construction and cultural project”, writes Nüssli in a press release.

    Thanks to the installation of a load-bearing steel structure shortly before the topping-out ceremony, the double pyramid is already a prominent feature of the townscape. “The structure is characterised by sophisticated geometry, high design standards and complex structural engineering,” the statement says. According to the city, the building is intended to provide a culturally significant architectural landmark. Exhibition spaces for contemporary art are to be created.

    According to the press release, the Thurgau-based company is contributing its experience with complex special-purpose structures such as pavilion architecture, exhibition design, as well as façade designs, sculptures and exhibits. “At various world exhibitions, we have learnt to turn extraordinary forms and complex structures into reality. It is precisely this expertise that is now being put to full use in the Mack Pyramid,” says Udo Baader, Head of Project Management Special Projects. The opening is scheduled for June 2027.

    Alongside the progress of the construction, the day also focused on the pyramid’s namesake, Heinz Mack. The sculptor was among the visitors, celebrating his 95th birthday. “Despite all the plans, I can’t quite picture it yet. The main thing is that the light remains,” he is quoted as saying. The light is part of his artwork inside the building, the press release states.

  • Consumer cooperatives are becoming increasingly important

    Consumer cooperatives are becoming increasingly important

    Following the acquisition of Blockstrom AG, ista swiss ag is now also able to offer billing solutions for self-consumption groups (ZEV). According to a press release, the company acquired the energy service provider Blockstrom on 4 March 2026. The co-managing directors Claudio Wyss, Marcel Lack and Urs Martin Springer will continue to work for the company. The Bern office will remain in place.

    Springer founded Blockstrom in 2017 together with Marcel Lack. The company has developed solutions for communities that generate their own electricity locally and can supply it both to end consumers and to the distribution grid. Springer sees the acquisition primarily as an opportunity for further growth: “The ZEV market has come of age,” he is quoted as saying. “Over the next few years, high volume will be more important than rapid product development. Ista swiss ag is the ideal partner for us to establish our solutions more broadly in the market and scale them further.”

    Blockstrom is committed to a consistently digital approach. According to the company’s own description, this “delivers efficient processes and minimal error rates: all energy consumption is recorded using smart meters, transmitted via the internet, visualised in real time and stored in the cloud.” Blockstrom customers now also have access to ista swiss’s range of services, including billing for water and heating consumption.

    With the acquisition of Blockstrom, ista swiss is further expanding its expertise as a full-service provider of modern integrated energy solutions, according to ista swiss Managing Director Guillaume Dubois. “Property owners and managers gain a single point of contact for all energy-related matters – from metering, billing, monitoring and energy data management to ZEV and electric mobility.”

  • Industrial firm stabilises turnover and invests in new sites

    Industrial firm stabilises turnover and invests in new sites

    According to a press release, the Kistler Group managed to keep its turnover stable in 2025: at 424 million Swiss francs, it fell by 1 per cent on a currency-adjusted basis and by 5 per cent in Swiss francs. The company cites the strong Swiss franc in particular as a negative factor, but also the stagnating German automotive industry and geopolitical and economic uncertainties, including those related to US tariff policy. Order intake fell short of the company’s expectations, down 2 per cent on a currency-adjusted basis and 6 per cent in Swiss francs.

    “My first year as CEO was challenging, but we have set an important course – including through adapted regional structures that enable us to respond even more flexibly to varying market conditions,” Marc Schaad is quoted as saying. He is cautiously optimistic about the 2026 financial year. “We plan to continue growing through targeted investments, particularly in Asian markets such as China.”

    For Asia, Kistler is planning a new headquarters in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. In the US, Kistler has strengthened its management team. In Germany, the focus is on developing new applications to offset declining sales in the automotive sector. New products are also set to contribute to the Group’s growth in 2026. Nine per cent of revenue is channelled into research and development.

    In Winterthur, Kistler is pressing ahead with preparations for a new, highly automated sensor factory. “The smart factory is a long-term investment for us and a clear commitment to Winterthur as a location,” said Schaad. The company is currently “in an intensive planning and clarification phase”.

  • Intercantonal development project focuses on mobility and efficiency

    Intercantonal development project focuses on mobility and efficiency

    Voters in St. Gallen have approved the sale of two plots of land owned by the Canton of St. Gallen to the Canton of Thurgau, as well as the provision of compensation in the form of crop rotation areas. According to a statement from Regio Wil, this is a “landmark decision” for the Wil region. The plots are to form the WILWEST development area, which is intended to combine environmentally friendly mobility, energy efficiency and regional cooperation as a sustainable economic zone. At the heart of the project is a new junction with the A1 motorway, complemented by improved bus, rail and cycle connections for the entire region.

    For the Wil region, the project creates prospects for new jobs, reduced traffic congestion and coordinated, sustainable spatial development, the statement says. The decision by St. Gallen’s voters is also a strong signal for intercantonal cooperation between St. Gallen and Thurgau, as well as for the 22 municipalities of Regio Wil.

    The St. Gallen electorate had initially rejected a special loan for the WILWEST project in September 2022. The project was subsequently comprehensively revised, particularly in the area of sustainability. Among other things, land use was optimised, soil sealing reduced, and car traffic and the number of parking spaces cut.

    The priority now is to ensure sustainable implementation, to develop the area in a land-conserving manner and in phases, and to continue to take the concerns of the public into account. Regio Wil intends to remain actively involved in the process in the future.

  • Swiss energy consumption has risen slightly

    Swiss energy consumption has risen slightly

    According to an initial estimate by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), energy consumption in Switzerland in 2025 was slightly higher than in the previous year. Consumption rose to 778,630 terajoules. In the previous year, it had stood at 776,220 terajoules.

    Energy from petroleum products again accounted for the largest share in 2025. This supplied 351,420 terajoules. In the previous year, the figure had been 354,810 terajoules. Electricity consumption rose to 209,340 terajoules, compared with 207,040 terajoules in the previous year. Gas consumption fell from 95,480 to 93,840 terajoules. Consumption of biogenic fuels, biogas, solar energy and geothermal heat rose from 38,390 to 40,090 terajoules.

    The SFOE points out that the estimate is provisional. The final figures for final energy consumption are due to be published on 18 June.

  • Modern office location underscores strategic development

    Modern office location underscores strategic development

    The Landis Gyr Group is moving into new headquarters. The Zug-based energy management specialist, which operates worldwide, is relocating to a new state-of-the-art office building within Cham, Landis Gyr announced in a press release. The new global headquarters is located at Alte Steinhauserstrasse 14, just a few steps away from the old headquarters on the same street. This will ensure a smooth transition, the press release states.

    “With the new headquarters, we are sending a clear signal of continuity and innovation,” Landis Gyr CEO Peter Mainz is quoted as saying in the press release. “Cham remains a key location for us, where we are shaping the future together with our employees and partners.” Mayor Georges Helfenstein interprets the move within Cham, among other things, as “the result of the municipality’s forward-looking and reliable economic management”.

  • Multi-domain strategy strengthens position in the digital marketplace

    Multi-domain strategy strengthens position in the digital marketplace

    Schoop Co.,a family-run business based in Baden specialising in landscaping, roofing and solar installations, is now adopting a multi-domain strategy. The main company website has been split into specialist sections covering landscaping, roofing and photovoltaics, as well as the company’s own careers portal. According to a company statement, the division into four domains is intended to improve online reach and visibility.

    Search engines and artificial intelligence (AI) assistants favour websites with a clear focus, according to Schoop Co. The multi-domain strategy, with its four specialised websites, is therefore intended to help customers and job seekers find the relevant Schoop site more quickly.

    Whilst Schoop Gardening specialises in the design, maintenance and construction of gardens, Schoop Roofing is the point of contact for the renovation, construction and maintenance of all types of roofs, as well as for green roofs, terraces and fall protection. At Schoop Photovoltaik, customers can access a full range of services relating to solar installations – from consultation and planning through to professional installation. Finally, Schoop Karriere is aimed at job seekers looking for a career at Schoop in the fields of flat roofing, solar technology or landscaping.

  • Wind and solar power ensure a stable electricity supply in the regional energy system

    Wind and solar power ensure a stable electricity supply in the regional energy system

    According to a statement from the operator BKW, the Swiss Energypark in the supply area of the Société des Forces électriques de La Goule generated a total of 134.45 gigawatt-hours of electricity in 2025. This represents 81 per cent of the region’s total consumption of 166.96 gigawatt-hours. In the previous year, the Energypark had generated 139.6 gigawatt hours.

    Wind energy once again contributed the largest share to electricity production, with a total of 86.50 gigawatt hours. The Juvent wind farm alone generated 72.6 gigawatt hours. Although this is less than the 91.1 gigawatt hours of the strong previous year due to low wind speeds, wind energy remains a reliable source of electricity, particularly during the winter months.

    The La Goule hydroelectric power station supplied 16.29 gigawatt hours, its worst result in decades. In the previous year, the figure had been 17.6 gigawatt hours.

    Solar energy, by contrast, grew significantly. In 2025, it supplied a total of 31.66 gigawatt hours, accounting for 24 per cent of total production. In the poor year of 2024, the figure had been just 13.6 gigawatt hours.

    The Swiss Energypark covers an area of 251 square kilometres between the cantons of Bern and Jura. 21,000 people live here.

  • Historic hotel complex is being repositioned in stages

    Historic hotel complex is being repositioned in stages

    Halter AG aims to breathe new life into the listed Sonnenberg complex in Seelisberg. The Schlieren-based property developer is currently in the process of gradually redeveloping the historic hotel complex, Halter states in a post on LinkedIn. According to the project description, the Hotel Sonnenberg is to remain as the core building and will once again be used as a hotel upon completion.

    In the former Hotel Kuhn, which will also remain largely unchanged, Halter plans to create apartments. Further apartments are to be built in two new buildings south of the hotel. Existing additional buildings to the north will be repurposed and incorporated into the hotel complex.

    The historic hotel complex attracted international attention in the 1970s. At that time, the Sonnenberg complex had been acquired by the Transcendental Meditation movement. From 1972 onwards, and for more than three decades, the Grandhotel Sonnenberg served as the headquarters of the movement led by the guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Felice Zenoni’s documentary Namaste Seelisberg, screened for the first time at the 61st Solothurn Film Festival, explores this era. Halter supported the film project and facilitated filming on the site.

  • Global employer rating strengthens position in the competition for talent

    Global employer rating strengthens position in the competition for talent

    Holcim has secured the Global Top Employer award from the Top Employers Institute for the second year running. According to a press release, a total of 27 Holcim subsidiaries across all regions have been certified as Top Employers. With 27 certified markets, Holcim achieved a global score of 87 per cent, thereby exceeding the global benchmark.

    The Top Employers Institute rated Holcim particularly highly in the areas of Ethics & Integrity, Learning and Business Strategy. These results reflect the performance-oriented corporate culture that drives the Group’s NextGen Growth 2030 strategy, the press release states.

    “A strategic growth driver of our NextGen Growth 2030 strategy is our performance culture and the value we create for employees, customers and shareholders. We call this the Holcim Spirit, which is focused on purpose, people and performance,” CEO Miljan Gutovic is quoted as saying. “This award belongs to our more than 45,000 colleagues who embody the Holcim Spirit every day and make Holcim an outstanding place to work.”

    For the Top Employer award, companies are assessed against global standards in the areas of career development, learning, well-being and remuneration. Companies recognised as Global Top Employers must also be certified as regional Top Employers in a minimum number of countries and regions – including the country where their global headquarters are located.

    Holcim is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, and employs more than 45,000 people globally across 43 markets, including Europe, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

  • City wants to acquire industrial building for archive and temporary uses

    City wants to acquire industrial building for archive and temporary uses

    The Biel Municipal Council is proposing to the City Council that it purchase the industrial property at Mattenstrasse 133. According to the announcement, the building is intended to serve as the new city archives from 2033 onwards. Prior to that, it will be used as a temporary gymnasium and library.

    The industrial property at Mattenstrasse 133 was built in 1959 for Maveg AG, a trading company for construction machinery. The building comprises three large halls and an administration building and is listed as worthy of preservation in the building inventory.

    From winter 2026/27, the large hall of the property is to replace the Collège des Platanes’ gymnastics facilities. Since 2024, these have only been usable to a limited extent due to structural problems. Until the gymnasiums are renovated, the city wants to create a temporary solution by simply expanding the hall.

    Later, during the planned complete renovation of the city library on Neumarktplatz starting in 2031, the property will serve as a temporary library location. There are hardly any suitable rental solutions available in the city centre for the library’s approximately 1,700 square metres of floor space.

    After the library moves out, the building will be used permanently as the city archives from 2033 onwards. The city has been looking for a new solution for this for years, as the current premises no longer meet legal requirements and the archive holdings are spread across several locations.

    The municipal council is applying to the city council for two loans totalling CHF 3.890 million for the purchase of the property and the temporary provision of the gymnasium. The city council will make its decision on 19 March.

  • How researchers are turning concrete into a climate saver

    How researchers are turning concrete into a climate saver

    The EU project CARBCOMN, launched in 2024 and funded by Horizon Europe with around six million euros, is taking a radical approach. Instead of using more material, the researchers are optimizing the shape. The principle is called “compression dominant structures”: concrete components are designed in such a way that they are almost exclusively subjected to compression, similar to the arches of historic stone bridges. Concrete can withstand compression well, but hardly any tensile forces. If you make consistent use of this, you need less material and less reinforcement.

    Printed, not poured
    Digital production makes shapes possible that would be unthinkable with traditional formwork. The robot prints the concrete layer by layer and leaves cavities where no reinforcement is required, directly controlled by the digital model. This not only saves material, but also reduces the seismic load in proportion to the weight loss. This is a decisive advantage in earthquake-prone regions.

    No cement, no problem
    The concrete used in the CARBCOMN project contains no cement. Steel slag, a by-product of the steel industry, is used as a binding agent. After printing, the components are placed in a chamber in which CO₂ is injected. The reaction with the slag mixture hardens the concrete and permanently binds the greenhouse gas. The result is a building material with a negative CO₂ balance that is made exclusively from industrial waste.

    Metal with memory
    This concrete does not manage entirely without reinforcement, but with a specialty that Empa has been using for around 20 years: iron-based shape memory alloys (Fe-SMA). These pre-stretched metal rods contract during heating instead of expanding, thus subsequently pre-stressing the component. They are only inserted after printing, do not interfere with the automated process and can be separated from the concrete later. The Empa spin-off re-fer contributes this technology directly to the consortium.

    Built for dismantling
    What is built should also be able to be dismantled again. The individual concrete modules are designed as discrete blocks that can be detached, transported and reassembled elsewhere. Zaha Hadid Architects and Mario Cucinella Architects are working with the engineering teams to develop free-form structures that express this circular principle architecturally. By 2028, a real prototype will prove that concrete construction can also look like this.

  • Land belongs to everyone – except SBB owns it itself

    Land belongs to everyone – except SBB owns it itself

    At the end of the 1990s, Parliament separated SBB from the federal government. This gave it the freedom to manage its most valuable asset. Huge plots of land in prime locations throughout Switzerland. There were no clear specifications as to how many apartments should be built and at what prices. The Federal Council merely demanded that the proceeds flow into the pension fund and the railroad infrastructure. This was the birth of a system that is still a source of controversy today.

    3.5 billion for whom?
    Since 2003, CHF 3.5 billion has flowed from the SBB real estate portfolio into the railroad infrastructure. SBB sees this as a contribution to society. Carlo Sommaruga, SP member of the Council of States and President of the Swiss Tenants’ Association, takes a different view. SBB has “almost fully exploited” the financial value of its properties at the expense of the social component. It is particularly offensive that parts of these properties were once expropriated in favor of the former state-owned company.

    Europaallee as a mirror
    The prime example is in the middle of Zurich. A 4-room apartment on Europaallee costs around CHF 5,000 per month. For the tenants’ association, the project has become a symbol of real estate speculation with public land. SBB counters that it is a fair landlord and that its apartments are on average below the market price. But the impression of maximum densification for maximum profits persists.

    Lausanne escalates
    In Lausanne, the conflict is coming to a head. The “La Rasude” project right next to the train station is set to accommodate around 500 residents and 1,200 jobs. However, only 20 percent of the living space is earmarked for moderate rents, even though SBB officially promises to rent out more than half of its apartments at low prices. The result is now almost 1000 objections. Construction work could start in 2029 at the earliest.

    The framework is lacking
    Salomé Mall, Head of Development at SBB Real Estate, emphasizes that the profits are used for rail operations and relieve the burden on the public purse. The argument is understandable, but falls short. As long as there are no legal requirements for housing shares and rents, the orientation towards the common good remains voluntary.

  • Ein Quartier ohne Einsprache

    Ein Quartier ohne Einsprache

    Der Luzerner Regierungsrat genehmigte den Bebauungsplan Schützenmatt im Januar 2026. Der Emmer Einwohnerrat hatte ihn bereits am 1. Juli 2025 in zweiter Lesung einstimmig verabschiedet. Nach Ablauf der Beschwerdefrist liegt nun Rechtskraft vor, kein einziger Rekurs wurde eingereicht. Das ist bei einem Projekt dieser Grössenordnung keine Selbstverständlichkeit, sondern ein Zeichen breiter Akzeptanz.

    250 Wohnungen, 4000 Quadratmeter Leben
    Auf dem Areal entstehen rund 250 Wohnungen in verschiedenen Grössen sowie Gewerbe-, Gastronomie- und Dienstleistungsflächen von insgesamt rund 4000 Quadratmetern. Der Wohnungsmix reicht von kleineren Einheiten über Familienwohnungen bis zu Alterswohnungen . Bewusst konzipiert für alle Lebensphasen und verschiedene Einkommensstufen. Ein Teil der Wohnungen muss als preisgünstiger Wohnraum realisiert werden.

    Weniger Auto, mehr Velo
    Das Mobilitätskonzept setzt klare Prioritäten sodass Fuss, Velo und öffentlicher Verkehr Vorrang haben. Geplant sind über 970 Veloabstellplätze, darunter eine gedeckte, öffentlich zugängliche Velostation mit mindestens 300 Plätzen direkt an der Bahnhofunterführung. Für Autos stehen maximal 120 Parkplätze in der Tiefgarage bereit. Die Velohauptroute entlang der Gleise wird kreuzungsfrei geführt. Somit entfallen Konflikte mit dem Fussgängerverkehr.

    Die Stadt als Schwamm
    Das städtebauliche Konzept stammt von Fischer Architekten, deren Wettbewerbsbeitrag mit dem ersten Preis ausgezeichnet wurde. Im Zentrum steht das Schwammstadtprinzip. Sickerfähige Beläge, Bäume auf natürlichem Boden und begrünte Dachflächen speichern Regenwasser und geben es kontrolliert wieder ab. Mindestens 60 Prozent der Dachflächen werden intensiv begrünt. Das verbessert das Mikroklima und macht das Quartier klimaresilient.

    Ab 2027 wird gebaut
    Mit der Rechtskraft liegt die Umsetzung nun bei den Grundeigentümerschaften. Die Realisierung ist in vier Etappen geplant, ein Bezug der ersten Wohnungen ist ab rund 2030 realistisch. Christine Bopp, Leiterin Planung der Gemeinde Emmen, spricht von einem abgeschlossenen langen Planungsprozess, der nun Planungssicherheit für alle Beteiligten schafft. Emmenbrücke bekommt sein neues Herz und baut es mit Bedacht.

  • Artificial intelligence: Absolutely, but..

    Artificial intelligence: Absolutely, but..

    Whether the English “AI” or the German “KI” – artificial intelligence is currently omnipresent. How its impact is assessed depends heavily on the perspective of the individual: For some, the opportunities outweigh the risks, while others primarily see risks. However, one thing is undisputed: the technology is here to stay.

    For us as a digital real estate platform, an open approach to technological innovation has always been part of our DNA. With ImmoScout24 and Homegate, we have been actively shaping the real estate market for over two decades. Our principle also applies here: AI must not be an end in itself, but should act as an unprecedented “enabler”. After all, the true potential of these two letters lies in the accelerated development, smart expansion and enhancement of innovative products that can create real added value and achieve daily efficiency gains.

    In the professional real estate sector in particular, the benefits of AI can be seen in its productive integration into existing, established processes. While this enables us as platforms to develop market-oriented products in a more agile way, it creates new efficiency gains for brokers and property managers in their day-to-day operations. The decisive factor is not the technology itself, but its real contribution.

    Two examples from the SMG Real Estate ecosystem illustrate this:

    • Our AI-based listing text creation saves an average of 14 minutes per listing. Extrapolated to an entire portfolio or a marketing campaign, this results in a substantial gain in productivity. The time saved can be invested specifically where it makes the biggest difference – in consulting, negotiation and customer relations. Anyone who instead advertises on ImmoScout24 or Homegate as a private individual can use this new intelligent function to partially compensate for a lack of marketing experience.
    • The new “Insight Hub” for real estate professionals provides AI-driven answers to questions about the potential and performance of listings that were previously difficult to narrow down. Every week, real estate agents and managers receive an overview of the listings with the greatest potential for improvement, including specific recommendations for action and the expected increase in visibility.

    This is just a small excerpt, plus numerous current developments at SMG Real Estate, including “Agentic AI”, a digital companion for real estate professionals in their day-to-day work – from the transcription of meeting notes to seamless CRM integration. But more on that in the near future. At the same time, technological innovation requires continuous investment – especially in cybersecurity. After all, it’s not just the right players who benefit from AI. State-of-the-art protection mechanisms, two-factor authentication, integrated access controls, etc. are essential to secure data and effectively prevent attempted fraud. Trust remains the central currency in the real estate market – especially in the digital one.

    But thanks to these targeted, ongoing investments in AI applications, we at SMG Real Estate are actively continuing to shape our role as the “digital shaper” of the Swiss real estate industry. Our goal is and remains first and foremost to make real estate professionals not only more efficient, but also more successful in the long term. This is also what our vision stands for: “Next-Gen Swiss Real Estate – digital and simple.”

  • The turnaround is real USZ turns positive

    The turnaround is real USZ turns positive

    Anyone driving through the Hochschulquartier will see it immediately. Cranes. Building pits. Large construction site. Campus Mitte is being built and with it the ambition to redefine cutting-edge medicine in the long term. The investments are underway. The question has long been, how will the balance sheet support this? Now there is an answer.

    The turnaround is real
    36 million francs profit. For the first time since 2019. A year earlier, a loss of 31 million francs. The contrast is clear and the direction is right.
    Inpatient cases rose by just under 3 percent, outpatient visits by 5 percent to around 882,000. More patients, better capacity utilization, more consistent processes. The result is no coincidence. The turnaround is real. The work has only just begun.

    Digitalization is paying off
    Since CEO Monika Jänicke took the helm in 2023, the clear strategy “USZ 2030” has been in place. More efficient processes, greater digitalization, focused medicine. The EBITDA margin rose from 2.9 to 6.6 percent. Strong, but not yet at the finish line. As the owner, the canton is demanding 10 percent. At the same pace, this can be achieved in 2026. The target for the equity ratio, just under 40%, has already been met.

    The canton is moving with
    Investments are running in parallel with the increase in earnings. Around CHF 100 million was invested in real estate in both 2023 and 2024. The canton is supporting the project and is borrowing CHF 690 million on the capital market. This at better conditions than the hospital itself would ever receive and passes the money on.
    The retained earnings, which fell to under 200 million francs in 2024, have now risen again to around 230 million francs. The cushion is growing.

    Not just the USZ
    The positive trend is not an isolated case. Winterthur Integrated Psychiatry closed 2025 with a profit of CHF 1.8 million. After red figures in the previous year. Patient numbers up 5 percent. This shows that cantonal healthcare institutions are responding to cost pressure with structure, efficiency and clarity.

  • Regensberg fights for survival

    Regensberg fights for survival

    Regensberg has exactly 477 inhabitants at the end of 2024. Despite two tax increases in recent years, there is not enough revenue to finance the municipality’s tasks. The structural deficit threatens the independence of the medieval country town on the rocky spur above Dielsdorf. A merger with a neighboring municipality is on the cards, a scenario that many Regensberg residents want to avoid.

    A meadow as a turning point
    The impetus came in April 2024 at a Future Day, where the population openly discussed the fate of their municipality for the first time. On the agenda was the Pünt meadow, the last major building site in the village. This discussion gave rise to the idea of a cooperative. In July 2025, the Pünt Regensberg building cooperative was officially entered in the commercial register.

    40 apartments, 80 new people
    The project, a four-storey building with 41 apartments, is to be built on the Pünt, around three quarters of which will be large family apartments with 4.5 to 5.5 rooms, the rest smaller units with 2.5 to 3.5 rooms. The cooperative anticipates 60 to 80 new residents. For a community the size of Regensberg, this corresponds to a population increase of around 15 percent. A competition to find the project team was held back in 2025.

    More than taxes
    The goal is not just fiscal. Regensberg has the fourth-highest average age of all Zurich municipalities. Younger families should come and thus also secure the elementary school, because without a school there are no families and without families there is no village life. The flexible usage concept also allows older people to move from their single-family home to a suitable smaller apartment without having to leave the village.

    non-profit instead of speculative
    If the project had ended up in private hands, the apartments in the attractive location would have primarily been investment properties. In contrast, the cooperative lets on a cost-rent basis, i.e. without the intention of making a profit. The project is being financed via share certificates, member loans, state subsidies and bank mortgages, with a target equity ratio of 35 to 40 percent.

    the cranes will rise in 2028
    Because Regensberg is listed in the federal inventory of sites worthy of protection, particularly strict conditions apply to construction. The building permit is due to be issued in 2027, with construction scheduled to start in 2028. The first apartments could be occupied one or two years later. Whether the cooperative can solve the structural deficit on its own remains to be seen. But it proves that sometimes a village saves itself.

  • When the state becomes an accomplice

    When the state becomes an accomplice

    Two houses, around 5000 square meters, directly on the shores of Lake Aegeri in the canton of Zug. Wüest Partner estimated the value at CHF 27 million. The property was sold in 2017 for CHF 16 million, around CHF 3300 per square meter. At the same time, comparable properties changed hands for between 6,000 and 13,500 francs.

    A bargain or a crooked deal
    The owner had made provisions. Her property was part of a holding structure. 45 percent to each child, 10 percent to the granddaughter. But the brother acted behind his sister’s back. The sale was sealed in less than 100 days, without a public tender, without a bidding process, without the sister’s consent. She found out about it a month after the contract was signed and immediately filed a criminal complaint.

    When 9 million finds no explanation
    The buyer paid 16 million and received an unsecured loan of up to 25 million from Zuger Kantonalbank, a difference of 9 million. Internally, the bank valued the property significantly higher than the purchase price would suggest.
    Today, the buyer is in the dock for money laundering. He is said to have known that the sale was based on serious injustice.

    When a commission remains silent
    The case grew beyond the courtroom. In the summer of 2025, the Zug Cantonal Council set up a PUK to investigate the role of the cantonal government. The focus was on faulty land register inspections. The notary responsible pushed the matter forward without any legal grounds for recusal and evaded the crucial questions during questioning.

    When justice takes time
    Nine days of hearings until the end of March. Presided over by Judge Svea Anlauf. A verdict in June at the earliest. The presumption of innocence applies to all defendants.

    Lake Aegeri glistens. What comes to light in the courtroom during these weeks could keep the canton of Zug busy for a long time to come.

  • The digital elite: the top 10 PropTechs in Switzerland 2020-2025

    The digital elite: the top 10 PropTechs in Switzerland 2020-2025

    1. properti
    properti is one of the leading Swiss providers of digital real estate brokerage. The company combines the expertise of experienced estate agents with its own platform (Propchain®), on which properties can be listed, brokered and linked with service partners. properti covers various segments: Luxury real estate, investment properties and commercial real estate. By digitizing the brokerage process, customers can find suitable properties more quickly and brokers can work more efficiently. The startup has received several awards as Switzerland’s #1 PropTech and shows how traditional sectors can be transformed with digital technology. The business model is scalable, both nationally and internationally, and the platform serves as a central hub for all players in real estate brokerage. Under CEO Levent Künzi, the company is growing continuously and establishing itself as an innovation leader.

    2. PriceHubble
    PriceHubble uses big data and artificial intelligence to provide accurate real estate valuations and location analysis. The company processes millions of data points and creates market forecasts to help investors, brokers and banks make decisions. With offices in Zurich, Berlin, Paris and Tokyo, PriceHubble has an international presence and shows that Swiss PropTechs are globally relevant. Strategic partnerships, such as with Check24 or WealthPark, further strengthen its market position. The Fintech Germany Award 2023 in the PropTech category underlines the company’s innovative strength. The company was able to significantly expand its market presence with Series B financing of USD 34 million. PriceHubble is a prime example of how data-driven solutions are revolutionizing the real estate industry.

    3. Crowdhouse
    Crowdhouse is the leading platform for crowdinvesting in Swiss investment properties. Investors can acquire shares in properties for as little as CHF 100,000 and thus benefit from the Swiss real estate market without owning the properties directly. The platform manages over 1,600 investors and a real estate volume of CHF 2.1 billion. The recurring investor rate of 55% is particularly strong, indicating trust and stable performance. Crowdhouse digitizes and simplifies the real estate investment process considerably. It offers detailed information on properties, forecast returns and transparency in management. The startup has thus created a scalable model that benefits investors and project developers alike.

    4. Flatfox
    Flatfox digitizes the rental process for apartments and houses in Switzerland. The platform enables owners, estate agents and property managers to create listings, manage interested parties and control communication centrally. flatfox was acquired by Mobiliar in 2021, underlining its market position and relevance. Brokers can use all major Swiss real estate portals via the platform, which significantly reduces the effort involved. Flatfox thus solves a classic problem in the real estate industry: fragmented and inefficient communication between tenants, brokers and administrators. The combination of an intuitive platform and integration into existing systems makes the company successful.

    5. Houzy
    Houzy offers a comprehensive digital ecosystem for homeowners. The platform supports users with valuations, renovations, planning and networking with tradespeople and service providers. It is free for users, while partners pay for referrals. With over 100,000 registered users and 3,500-5,000 new users per month, the platform shows enormous growth potential. Investors such as UBS and Baloise underline the confidence in the business model. Houzy makes it easier for homeowners to manage complex tasks that used to be time-consuming and confusing, combining digital tools with practical services. The startup has thus established a leading position in the Swiss home ownership segment.

    6. Archilyse
    Archilyse is an ETH spin-off that automatically converts 2D floor plans into 3D BIM models and analyzes them digitally. Over 100 qualitative features such as visual axes, lighting conditions and energy consumption are evaluated. This enables architects, investors and real estate developers to objectively assess the quality of a project. With YoY ARR growth of over 250%, Archilyse demonstrates high scalability. The software solves a fundamental information problem in architecture: the objective comparison of properties. The company combines technological depth with practical application and shows how digital tools can revolutionize planning and evaluation processes.

    7. viboo
    viboo develops AI-based thermostats and intelligent building automation solutions for non-residential buildings. The aim is to minimize energy consumption without compromising comfort. Pilot projects show energy savings of up to 22% and a CO² reduction of 13 tons per school. Over 5,000 thermostats are already in use, supported by funding of €3.3 million. The company combines sound research from ETH and Empa with practical solutions for the market. viboo shows how ClimateTech and PropTech can be combined in practice. Through measurable savings and intelligent control, the start-up is establishing itself as a leading provider in Switzerland.

    8. Scandens
    Scandens is an AI-based software solution for refurbishment and investment planning for buildings. It automatically simulates over 500 renovation combinations and simultaneously optimizes profitability and CO² reduction. The start-up addresses a key Swiss problem: the low renovation rate of buildings. Through partnerships, for example with HEV Zurich, the solution is also made available to private owners. As an ETH spin-off, Scandens combines technological depth with practical relevance. The company shows how AI can make renovation planning more efficient and sustainable.

    9. vyzn
    vyzn develops web-based 3D/BIM software for sustainability analyses in new construction and renovation projects. The platform supports certifications such as Minergie or SNBS and analyzes the entire life cycle of a building from construction to use to demolition. vyzn enables planners and architects to reconcile costs, sustainability and quality. The solution has been recognized internationally, including as a semi-finalist in the EXPO REAL Impact Awards. As an ETH spin-off, vyzn demonstrates the combination of academic research and practical application. The start-up is clearly positioning itself in a growing market segment for sustainable and efficient construction planning.

    10. Immowise
    Immowise digitizes the management of condominiums and owners’ meetings. The platform supports owners and property managers with budget planning, news communication, cost estimates and meetings. It simplifies previously fragmented processes and significantly reduces administrative work. Since its foundation in 2021, Immowise has expanded from western to German-speaking Switzerland. With practical solutions and a clear focus on the Swiss real estate market, Immowise offers increased efficiency and transparency for communities of owners. The company shows how digital tools can revolutionize traditional management tasks.

  • AI as a competitive factor in the real estate industry

    AI as a competitive factor in the real estate industry

    Why the breakthrough is possible right now
    Current market analyses show a clear picture: AI has arrived in the industry. As part of an industry-wide market analysis, 55 AI solutions were examined and 24 specific use cases for the construction and real estate industry were derived. The study showed that most solutions can be found in the utilization and operation phase.

    The reason is obvious: large amounts of data are generated during operation, processes are recurring, efficiency pressure is high and sustainability targets are ambitious. This is where AI is already delivering measurable added value.

    In the planning phase, however, AI solutions have so far only been available in isolated cases. This is surprising in that there is a lot of potential for the use of AI in this phase in particular, for example in areas such as energy consumption and operating costs.

    Three areas of benefit that can make all the difference
    PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
    Still little used, but strategically highly relevant. AI can optimize construction and resource plans or support operational processes on the construction site. In times when operational efficiency is becoming increasingly important, such tools could make all the difference.

    OPERATIONS & MANAGEMENT
    The current playing field of AI. From automated control of technical systems to optimized cleaning and waste processes and digital customer communication. Contract reviews and data management are also increasingly being supported by AI. This is already achieving a measurable boost in productivity.

    PORTFOLIO, INVESTMENT & STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
    For owners, investors and portfolio managers, the added value lies more at the management and analysis level: data-based valuation models, portfolio analyses or the identification of CO2 savings potential enable well-founded decisions and thus strategically optimized management of real estate portfolios.

    What successful AI projects really need
    Artificial intelligence is not a sure-fire success. Three factors determine success or failure:

    • Data basis & governance: without clean, structured data, AI tools remain ineffective. Companies need to analyse their data quality, processes and IT infrastructure and optimize them if necessary.
    • Strategic anchoring: It is not the technology that should drive the use of AI, but a clear, strategic goal such as increasing efficiency, reducing costs, sustainability or portfolio optimization.
    • Realistic expectations & suitable implementation strategy: Many of the solutions identified are still at the pilot stage. A step-by-step approach, for example using low-code platforms or proven tools, can help to gain initial experience and then scale up.

    Conclusion: Shaping the future instead of waiting
    Artificial intelligence opens up many opportunities for the real estate industry: it can make processes more efficient and decisions more informed, reduce operating costs, promote sustainability and strategically manage portfolios. For organizations that consciously and strategically invest in AI today, it will become a differentiating factor across all phases of the real estate life cycle. However, the key lies not in the technology, but in a clear vision, a solid data foundation and appropriate implementation.

  • Digital Agenda connects events in the Limmat Valley

    Digital Agenda connects events in the Limmat Valley

    Limmatstadt AG has launched a joint digital events calendar in collaboration with municipalities and business associations in the Limmat Valley. Events relating to business, culture, sport, clubs and municipalities are recorded centrally and then automatically published on various channels and displayed collectively on the Limmatstadt website. According to a press release, the initiative aims to raise the profile of the region, exploit synergies, reduce administrative costs and strengthen and further develop the Limmattal region as a place to live and do business.

    “With the digital event calendar, we are highlighting everything the Limmat Valley has to offer – and at the same time strengthening cooperation in the region,” said Stephanie Kiener, Managing Director of Limmatstadt, in the press release.

    The technical basis for the calendar is the guidle platform. Event organisers enter their events once in a central location. These then appear on the regional calendar and, depending on the connection, on the websites of the respective municipalities and partner and media platforms. The solution thus creates transparency and visibility and enables simpler processes and efficient use of resources without overlaps.

    The digital event agenda was supported and financed by the municipalities of Aesch, Dietikon, Geroldswil, Oetwil an der Limmat, Oberengstringen, Schlieren, Spreitenbach, Uitikon, Unterengstringen, Urdorf and Weiningen, as well as the Dietikon Industry and Trade Association and the Schlieren Chamber of Commerce.

    “The new digital event calendar brings the Limmattal region even closer together – visible, connected and strong together,” the press release states.

  • New Head of Market and Policy at the Solar Association

    New Head of Market and Policy at the Solar Association

    According to a statement, Wieland Hintz has been head of market and policy at Swissolar since 1 March and is also its deputy managing director. The 45-year-old was previously responsible for solar energy at the Federal Office of Energy.

    Hintz studied physics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich and earned his doctorate at the CERN nuclear research centre in Geneva. He has worked for Alpiq and the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies, among others. Together with his family, he operates six wind turbines and a solar park with a capacity of 1.2 megawatts in Germany.

    Hintz replaces David Stickelberger. Now 65, Stickelberger was the first managing director of swissolar from 1998 to 2023. Since 2023, he has been deputy to his successor Matthias Egli. In future, he will support the association as senior policy advisor.

    “Over the past ten years, photovoltaics has become a mainstay of Switzerland’s electricity supply, now covering over 15 per cent of electricity consumption,” Hintz is quoted as saying in the press release. “In my new role at Swissolar, I will devote all my energy to ensuring that photovoltaics is optimally integrated into the Swiss energy system and to driving forward the decarbonisation of buildings and transport.”

    Swissolar has created a new position of Director for French-speaking Switzerland. This will be filled by Anne Plancherel. She has been working since 2024, both as a strategic project manager and in setting up vocational training in western Switzerland. Plancherel will represent Swissolar in western Switzerland and further expand the regional network.

    The 44-year-old environmental engineer studied at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne and continued her education in project management at the University of Geneva. “I am very much looking forward to working with our members, partners and authorities to further expand the potential of solar energy in French-speaking Switzerland and to strengthen the industry in the long term,” she is quoted as saying in the press release.

  • Digital tool assesses sustainability of events

    Digital tool assesses sustainability of events

    The Swiss Association for Sustainable Events (SVNE), based in Basel, has further developed its Clean Event platform. Under the new name Eventkit, it offers a uniform tool for planning and evaluating the sustainability of events. This tool can be used by both organisers and the approving authorities. According to a press release, the bilingual Eventkit platform also integrates the KITmanif platform, which was developed by the city of Lausanne and the canton of Vaud.

    Eventkit uses criteria formulated by experts in cities, cantons, federal offices and partner associations to evaluate events. These are grouped into clear categories ranging from management and communication, catering, traffic and transport, materials and waste, nature and landscape, health and prevention, inclusion and equal opportunities to the economy.

    A maximum of 340 points are awarded in total. 31 of the 58 criteria are scored with four points, while 27 criteria count double.

    The circular economy plays a central role. For example, catering is also assessed on the basis of whether there is a concept in place to avoid food waste. This includes avoiding disposable products and distributing free samples or flyers, as well as ensuring the return of reusable and recyclable disposable containers. Any damage to natural areas is repaired. Preference is given to the regional economy.

    Thanks to broad support, Eventkit is available free of charge to all interested event organisers. “With Eventkit, we are creating the first Switzerland-wide standard with target values that motivate events to gradually strengthen their sustainability,” SVNE President Marianne Gehring is quoted as saying in the press release.

  • AI and sensor technology are transforming concrete production

    AI and sensor technology are transforming concrete production

    Sika AG has entered into a distribution partnership with Canadian company Giatec Scientific Inc. Giatec’s range of digital technologies for the construction sector is to be integrated into Sika’s global product portfolio, according to a statement issued by the Zug-based specialty chemicals company. The aim of the business agreement is to drive forward digitalisation in the concrete industry worldwide.

    Giatec Scientific Inc., headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, is a global provider of sensors, software solutions and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered data analysis systems. The use of digital technologies in construction is on the rise. According to the press release, this is demonstrated by figures from the global market research and consulting firm Fortune Business Insights. According to these figures, the global market for AI in the construction industry is expected to grow from CHF 4.7 billion in 2026 to CHF 27.5 billion by 2034. This corresponds to an average growth rate of 24.8 per cent per year.

    Sika and Giatec want to combine their strengths to provide customers with high-quality concrete data in real time, according to the announcement. “By combining the most advanced technologies, we are opening up new opportunities for our customers worldwide in terms of efficiency, quality and sustainability. At the same time, we are strengthening our ability to create additional value through digital innovation,” said Ivo Schädler, Head of Construction and member of the Group Executive Committee.

    AI-supported quality control and optimisation of concrete mix designs would offer the construction industry the opportunity to precisely optimise the amount of cement and aggregates used. This would enable efficiency gains, cost savings and CO2 reductions while simultaneously increasing performance on the construction site.

  • New factory site combines energy and network expertise

    New factory site combines energy and network expertise

    CKW AG plans to relocate business divisions from the Reussbühl district of Lucerne to Reussinsel in Emmen, where it will also establish the company’s new headquarters, according to a press release. The Axpo subsidiary intends to use this move to consolidate its activities.

    At the heart of the project, known as EnergiePark Emmen, is the construction of a new building for the Networks and Building Technology divisions. CKW’s network base, which will be built there, will be responsible for the construction, operation and maintenance of the electricity grid in the greater Lucerne area. The new building will provide modern workplaces for employees. After several years of planning, the Compact project by Penzel Valier AG from Zurich and Maurus Schifferli Landscape Architects from Bern was awarded the contract to build the new company headquarters.

    Reuss Island is the historical birthplace of CKW, where the first power plant supplied electricity to the region in 1894. “With the planned relocation of our headquarters to Emmen, we are building on these roots and committing ourselves to Emmen as a location in the long term,” said Martin Schwab, CEO of CKW, in the press release. The relocation of the business divisions and headquarters to Emmen will mean that 1,000 employees will work on Reuss Island in future, instead of the previous 600.

    In the coming years, a development plan based on the draft project will be drawn up by the municipality of Emmen. “Together with the municipalities of Emmen and Ebikon, we want to further develop the Reuss island in the interests of all parties involved,” Schwab continued. According to the current status, construction projects could be approved and implemented from 2030, according to the press release.

  • New logistics centre to be built in Hunzenschwil

    New logistics centre to be built in Hunzenschwil

    ERNE AG Bauunternehmung from Laufenburg is constructing a modern logistics centre for Lagerhäuser Aarau AG in Hunzenschwil, according to a press release. The new industrial building comprises a high-bay warehouse and office space. The 130-metre-long and 100-metre-wide building has a total volume of 364,043 cubic metres.

    The schedule for the shell construction is clearly defined: completion is scheduled for 9 December 2026. Halfway through the construction period, the building must already have reached its full height in the high-bay warehouse area. In order to meet these requirements, ERNE is relying on digital construction processes and a virtual overall model (Virtual Design and Construction), which maps all construction stages in detail. This enables construction processes to be planned precisely, trades to be optimally coordinated and interfaces and potential conflicts to be identified at an early stage.

    Around 50 employees and four Wolff WK 7534 cranes are in operation every day on the large construction site. For the concreting work, around 31,000 cubic metres of concrete are produced and processed on site with the aid of a mobile concrete plant, including water drainage. Once the foundation work has been completed, the walls and ceilings of the centre will follow. Once the floor slab has been completed, one of the 120 ceiling stages, each covering an area of 300 to 350 square metres, will be concreted every other day on average. The structural connection between the new building and the existing building will complete the shell construction work.

    Once completed, the extension will not only meet the growing demand for flexible storage and logistics solutions, but will also set new standards in automation, energy efficiency and sustainable construction, according to the announcement.

  • Temporary construction specialist expands into the Western Balkans

    Temporary construction specialist expands into the Western Balkans

    Hüttwilen-based Nüssli has opened its own office in the Serbian capital Belgrade. With this initiative, the company, which specialises in temporary structures, aims to expand its presence in the Western Balkans. According to a press release, the office opening also serves to prepare for Expo 2027, which will take place in Belgrade from 15 May to 15 August 2027.

    The theme of Expo 2027 will be: Play for Humanity – Sport and Music for All. With its experienced teams, Nüssli offers to support countries and organisations as a comprehensive partner from the conception to the realisation of pavilions and projects. The Thurgau-based company offers pavilion architecture, exhibition design and special solutions such as façade designs, sculptures and exhibits that can showcase countries’ presentations visually and spatially.

    Nüssli was responsible for five country pavilions at Expo 2025 in Osaka. Four of them received the Official Participant Awards from the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) at the end of the Expo.

  • Telecommunications provider strengthens regional digital infrastructure

    Telecommunications provider strengthens regional digital infrastructure

    Datapark AG, based in Wil, has been part of EKT Holding AG, based in Arbon, since 23 February. The Thurgau-based energy supplier is also considering a merger with EKT and the integration of Datapark into its Digital Services division. The eleven jobs in Wil will be retained.

    As an internet service provider, Datapark has its own backbone as part of the internet in eastern Switzerland. It offers services for cable network operators, including network planning, internet connectivity, site networking and customer management systems.

    Datapark was founded in 1997 by André Otto and taken over by Martin Kaiser in 2020. With the takeover of the company by EKT Holding, Kaiser is now arranging his own succession. “The integration into the EKT Group offers several positive factors,” he is quoted as saying in the announcement. “On the one hand, we can further expand our strengths in operations, network technology and specialised solutions, and on the other hand, we benefit from the strong market position of the EKT Group. Together, we are creating an even more powerful, regionally anchored digital offering for our customers.”

    Andreas Plüer welcomes Datapark to the EKT Group. “With this long-established company, we are gaining a partner that has been setting standards in network technology, operations and customer service in eastern Switzerland for years,” the head of EKT’s Digital Services business unit is quoted as saying in the press release. Following the takeover, the EKT Group now employs 200 people.