immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Category: Switzerland

  • High-tech quality in the east

    High-tech quality in the east

    Economic area of technologies
     The economic “core competencies” lie in photonics, textile and material technologies, precision technologies, ICT services and medical technology. Corresponding specialists are also available in large numbers across borders. Their training and further education is guaranteed thanks to the intensive cooperation between industry, vocational and technical colleges and the University of St. Gallen. The ongoing IT education offensive reinforces the already tech-savvy economic atmosphere.

    In the economic region there are still very attractive areas and transformation areas, even in very central locations, which are constantly being developed. They offer a lot of potential for projects and company settlements.

    Innovation park symbolizes departure
    In the city of St. Gallen, the economic center of Eastern Switzerland, the University of St. Gallen and the Cantonal Hospital have supraregional appeal. Empa St. Gallen also positions itself through its scientific excellence. On the basis of these three institutions, the application for “Park Ost” to Switzerland Innovation was successful. In addition, the DNA for ICT, health technologies and start-ups is already developed in the urban location and provides an ideal breeding ground for this.

    City as a center of business and life
    The city of St. Gallen is a center that radiates far and wide, not only economically, but also culturally and urbanly. With over 80,000 employees, it is the labor market center in Eastern Switzerland. Impulses such as the new “School of Medicine” (Joint Medical Master) and the “School of Computer Science” at the University of St. Gallen offer close proximity to specialists for companies in these growth sectors.

    The start-up innovation network “Startfeld” or the networks for ICT and health provide uncomplicated access to local partners and enable joint development.

    The short distances, the compact city and the proximity to the surrounding nature from Säntis to Lake Constance form the basis for the very high quality of life.

    Testimonials

    Josef Brusa
    President of the Board of Directors of Brusa Elektronik AG

    “Everything is right at the Buchs campus. We were able to establish ourselves here thanks to the good cooperation with the cantonal location promotion, the city and local community of Buchs, the university and Lippuner Immobilien. "

    Thomas Harring
    CEO Leica Geosystems

    "Our Heerbrugg innovation factory is the embodiment of Switzerland as a workplace: innovation leadership and high manufacturing quality, which is ensured by well-trained employees and the network of industrial companies and research institutions."

    Roger Dudler
    CEO Frontify

    «Frontify offers a workplace of the future in the heart of St. Gallen. We are continuously working to bring our more than 200 employees (around 180 of them in St. Gallen) together and to offer them the ideal basis to be able to work on something big every day. "

    Roland Ledergerber
    Chairman of the Board of Directors of Switzerland Innovation Park Ost AG

    “In St. Gallen and at the second location in Buchs, experts from research and business will network and jointly create innovative products. The innovation park should be operational from the end of 2022, and it should reach its full capacity from 2025. "

    Portraits and contact details of the heads of location promotion:

    Are you looking for an attractive, competitive and innovative location for your company and would you like to develop further or settle in the canton of St. Gallen? We would be happy to support you personally.

    Daniel Müller,
    Head of Location Promotion Canton St. Gallen | Department of Economic Affairs | Office for Economy and Labor
    Davidstrasse 35, CH-9001 St.Gallen

    T +41 58 229 14 07
    daniel.mueller@sg.ch
    www.standort.sg.ch

    The promotion of the city of St. Gallen actively contributes to the further development of the business and living location of St. Gallen and to positioning it attractively in the competition for locations.

    Samuel Zuberbühler,
    Head of Location Promotion City of St. Gallen
    Poststrasse 28,
    CH-9001 St.Gallen

    Telephone +41 71 224 57 57
    samuel.zuberbuehler@stadt.sg.ch
    www.standort.stadt.sg.ch

  • Eastern Switzerland as a "hidden champion"

    Eastern Switzerland as a "hidden champion"

    Eastern Switzerland is certainly the part of the country with the greatest potential for discovery. Development companies have avoided this part of the country for a long time and are gradually discovering its advantages. The growth rates had an inhibiting effect for a long time. But at its core there is a volcano smoldering beneath eastern Switzerland that only needs to be ignited.

    Development areas from west to east
    In the area of site development, eastern Switzerland offers numerous pearls that can be discovered. A conversion area for the Swiss Army is slumbering right next to the Frauenfeld station area. In the canton of Thurgau, however, there is currently a particular focus on the development area in Wil-West near Münchwilen, where in the future commercial and industrial uses, as well as service functions, will have their home on around 200,000 square meters. The G-Werk Bronschhofen industrial and commercial park is close by for new companies. The Uzwil location also has several pearls to show for. The Birkenhof residential development with a supermarket, fitness studio and daycare center was recently built on the Benninger site. With the CUBIC, an innovation campus was built on the Bühler AG site that deserves international renown. The city of Gossau is setting new accents in Sommerau with the expansion area of Aepli Metallbau AG. A (still) sleeping giant is also slumbering in the St. Gallen-West / Gossau-Ost (ASGO) development area: primarily commercial and industrial uses, but also service functions and housing, are to be developed there. The Lerchenfeld-Areal St. Gallen is the new location of the Innovation Park Eastern Switzerland, location of EMPA and the Business Incubator Startfeld. Business areas for start-ups and the high-tech segment are provided here. The first signs of a revitalization of the freight yard area in St. Gallen are recognizable, due to the overriding plans for traffic development (new feeder A1) the area is not available in the medium term. In return, the «lattich» is a national display object for successful temporary use. There is also an area for logistics and commercial use in the Geissberg / Altenwegen-Ost area in St. Gallen. At the St. Fiden station area, the feasibility of covering both the motorway and the track field is currently being evaluated. In the medium term, a new district with uses for research, education, services and living will be created at this location. For this purpose, the areal Bahnhof Nord lies fallow right next to the main station St. Gallen. After planning a test, the canton has issued a moratorium on further planning steps and wants to reserve the area for its educational institutions. In the Herisau station area, too, various office and residential uses are being developed with direct location on the railway tracks, along with the redesign of the station.

    Attractive Lake Constance area, Rheintal technology hub
    The entire Lake Constance area is also of interest. Oberthurgau offers great potential for further conversions with Arbon and Saurer Werk II with its existing factory halls, which are currently used by small and medium-sized SMEs from industry, production and services. In the future, an interesting mix of living, living and working spaces is to be created here. Numerous residential developments – for example in the Raduner area in Horn – will offer further attractive housing options with more or less direct access to Lake Constance. In Rorschach, numerous new apartments and commercial uses will be built on the Feldmühle site – right next to the city train station with the best connections from Zurich to Munich. The developments in St.Margrethen are also worth mentioning, where the new construction of the Stadler Rail production plant is clearly causing a pull – commercial and residential construction is attracting in the community. After all, with the Innoparc in Heerbrugg, Eastern Switzerland has a hotspot for the opto-mechanical industry. A compression project is being planned here. Mention should also be made of the station area in Buchs, where there is a legally binding development plan. The competitive situation in the Eastern Switzerland region remains manageable overall – but the urge to develop has awakened.

    Settlement desert in Eastern Switzerland with potential
    The number of settlements in Eastern Switzerland has collapsed at an above-average rate in recent years. Because so far Eastern Switzerland has not been the first choice for globally successful companies dealing with technologies or knowledge-based corporate functions. There are many reasons. The canton of St. Gallen missed the opportunity to accelerate travel times from the canton's capital to the surrounding centers. The disadvantageous direct taxation of private individuals and companies is also of little help. There was also a lack of development areas, which are now being prepared. The canton of Thurgau, over which the development spills from Zurich via Frauenfeld towards Lake Constance, is a bit better. The two half-cantons of Appenzell Inner- and Outer Rhodes also benefit from the influx of wealthy people from the greater St. Gallen area. But they are hardly relevant for the development of jobs.

    Marketing with potential
    The lack of success in the relocation business of the cantons of Eastern Switzerland depends on a deliberately chosen gap: Eastern Switzerland lacks powerful marketing structures that are effective abroad. Anyone who wants to score points at the location of the competitions has to literally “stand on the mat” within four to 48 hours and present their advantages. That is why other parts of the country have created powerful, cross-cantonal marketing structures (Greater Areas), which, together with the Swiss national marketing, ensure that their corporate landscape is refreshed year after year. Eastern Switzerland operates an area under the brand «St. GallenBodenseeArea », but this has neither budget nor effect. Direct investments would also be a kind of rejuvenation treatment for Eastern Switzerland. New technologies, talents and international structures accelerate the renewal of an economic structure. And the more modern and meaningful jobs there are, the more talent a location will attract.

    Eastern Switzerland is on the way there; hesitantly, but with ever better arguments – and above all potential areas.

  • Sound house: Walk-in instrument in the middle of nature

    Sound house: Walk-in instrument in the middle of nature

    At the Schwendisee in Toggenburg, a magical new building will be built between protected raised bogs: the so-called sound house, built as a walk-in sound box made of local wood, similar to the sound box of a violin. The aim is to create a house for the sound that itself becomes an instrument and resonance space, with acoustics that do not yet exist in this form.

    It is intended to address and attract very different target groups. On the one hand, it is intended to attract musicians, choirs and orchestras for rehearsals, courses and symposia. It should be a special place for practicing and singing. On the other hand, it will develop into a place for events, concerts and performances. It also wants to give companies, clubs, schools and other organizations space for their events and represent an attractive point of attraction for those interested in architecture and hikers.

    The sound house is to become the heart and architectural center of the tourist area around the Schwendisee. The President of the Foundation Council of Klangwelt Toggenburg said: “From the time the Klanghaus is put into operation, a functioning operation with a successful cultural and tourist offer should be ensured. This includes infrastructural, organizational, economic and content-related aspects that combine the needs of our guests and providers into a coherent ‹ecosystem of sound campus›. " The Toggenburg Sound World wants to establish a leading sound and resonance destination in Toggenburg.

    The Toggenburg Sound House was designed by the architect Marcel Meili, who died in 2019. In the meantime, the implementation of the project has been entrusted to the architect Astrid Staufer, who developed the sound house in 2010 in contractual collaboration with Marcel Meili.

    The former Hotel Seegüetli currently stands where the Klanghaus will be built. The canton plans to demolish it in the coming year. Today's street is currently being relocated. According to the current schedule, the sound house should be completed in autumn / winter 2024. In spring 2025, the canton of St. Gallen and the Toggenburg Sound World Foundation want to jointly open the unique wooden structure.

  • Aepli Metallbau establishes a new location in Gossau

    Aepli Metallbau establishes a new location in Gossau

    Aepli Metallbau normally builds metal construction for others – especially modern and energy-efficient facades made of glass and metal. The company's major projects include the HSG Learning Center in St. Gallen, the Basel Biozentrum and the Quadrolith in Baar. Today the family business, which has been based in Gossau for 108 years, has around 200 employees.

    The previous headquarters on Industriestrasse is reaching its capacity limits despite extensions and the production halls spread over three locations. The third generation of the company's boss, Roman Aepli, decided to build a new headquarters. This is being built on the Sommerau-Nord site – right next to the Gossau motorway junction. Aepli was able to buy the 100,000 square meter land from the Migros Ostschweiz cooperative around two years ago.

    The office building and a two-part production hall can be found on 35,000 square meters. The office building has five floors and a glass facade that tapers from top to bottom. This builds on the protruding and recessed Aepli Air Control facade elements. This is to ensure maximum energy efficiency. Photovoltaic systems on the flat roof of the production hall ensure sustainable electricity production. An underground car park with 166 parking spaces offers space for the service vehicles.

    In this way, not only can Aepli Metallbau's production be bundled in one place, but the long-term future of the company in Gossau can also be ensured, as Roman Aepli says. Investments in the latest production technologies and digitization are planned. The automation in particular will take up a lot of space, which is why Sommerau-Nord is the ideal location. Thanks to the planned production lines, new processes are to be optimized, thereby increasing efficiency and quality.

    The new building is the largest investment in the company's history. It is planned that production on the Sommerau can start in autumn 2022. The office space should also be ready for occupancy at the beginning of 2023.

    Of the remaining 65,000 square meters of land, Aepli has kept 6,000 square meters as a reserve. The rest of the land was divided into three parcels and sold to three companies: The new owners are Huber Kunststoff AG, the powder coater Gema Switzerland GmbH and the cooperative butcher shop St. Gallen and the surrounding area.

    But there are not only changes in the location, but also in the management: Since January 1, 2021, the new management team has consisted of long-term employees Matthias Elmer (Managing Director), Michael Röthenmund (Technical Director), Thierry Knöpfel (Head of Sales) and Marcel Rechsteiner (Head of Finance and HR). Aepli is concentrating on his duties as Chairman of the Board of Directors and on realizing the new company headquarters.

  • Living more beautifully and energy-efficiently

    Living more beautifully and energy-efficiently

    SwissAlp Immobilien AG is a Swiss real estate company based in Buchs SG: “Our thoughts and actions are geared towards identifying and implementing the potential of properties, real estate projects and properties. From this we generate growth: for our investors and for us, ”says Ardian Emini, CEO of SwissAlp Immobilien AG. «Our main activity is value-added portfolio management. We acquire properties with very high quality requirements in selected locations in German-speaking Switzerland. Renovation properties are acquired if their value can be increased significantly through renovation, new construction or renovation. We market, rent and manage our properties ourselves. "

    SwissAlp Immobilien AG has specialized in the development of a solid real estate portfolio: "Thanks to our know-how, our many years of experience and our professionalism, we offer our investors the best possible security to achieve their return targets," says Emini. "Thanks to our professionally managed property portfolios, we enable our investors to participate in all of German-speaking Switzerland."

    A prime example is the new building project by SwissAlp Immobilien AG in a central location in Sargans SG. Within walking distance of the train station, 22 high-quality rental apartments will soon be built: “The apartment building impresses with its modern and exciting architecture, combined with the concept of sustainability. Both a photovoltaic system and efficient energy management are of course part of this concept. The parking garage and bike room are equipped with charging stations for electric cars and bicycles from the start. ”

    The apartment mix of 2.5 to 4.5 room apartments appeals to singles, young couples and families alike. Shops and schools are in the immediate vicinity within walking distance. According to Emini, the apartments are characterized by a high-quality finish and leave nothing to be desired: "Each apartment has a small reduit, and the larger apartments have a master bedroom with its own bathroom." With this project, architects and specialist planners had the opportunity to create a special building: for today, for tomorrow and for eternity!

  • On a bus tour through Wil West

    On a bus tour through Wil West

    Around 70 people were present on three Wil Mobil buses and explored various posts on the Wil West site in the style of a “scout exercise”. There were representatives from all the departments involved in the cantons of St. Gallen and Thurgau as well as the 23 member communities of the Wil region. And off we go: The northern network extension was discussed at the Ebnetsaal in Bronschhofen, aspects such as infrastructure and ecology on the terrace of the car world of Rotz and the details of the cantonal usage zone in Gloten.

    The tour of the site met with a consistently positive response: many participants had real aha moments when it came to the “dimension of the project” or “how detailed ecological compensation measures have already been defined”. The area tour with various stations should also be a central instrument in the future to make Wil West more tangible. Corresponding implementations are being planned for both the media and the population.

    The District President of St. Gallen, Marc Mächler, also insisted that Wil West be brought to life and that the project be brought to the next phase: "We must soon get away from the paper and the plans and show people specifically what is happening here." The CFO also submitted details of the special loan for the development of the site, which the Cantonal Council is expected to discuss in its first reading in November. In addition to Mächler, site manager Susanne Hartmann was also present from the government of the canton of St. Gallen. The Canton of Thurgau was also represented by the head of construction, Carmen Haag. The latter explained the network decision on the new connecting road and the footpaths and cycle paths, over which the Great Council of Thurgau has to decide. The Wil West motorway junction is at the center of the infrastructure construction. The Astra is planning this as an exciting high-spinning bridge and will then build it later.

    The modernized “Wil West” logo with the claim “The future lies with us” also premiered at the location conference. The claim stands for the self-confidence that the future lies here in the region and that future generations will find attractive jobs locally and no longer have to migrate in large droves to other cities. In addition to the logo debut, a new, fresh website is also being planned.

    Three young personalities from regional politics took part in the “Voices of the Future” podium: Meret Grob, City MP Green prowil; Salome Zeintl, President Jungfreisinnige Wil and the surrounding area and Serge Müller, Vice President SP Münchwilen district. They combined many positive aspects with the project, such as cross-cantonal cooperation or the economic strengthening of the entire region. However, they also expressed the need to involve the young and the population in general even more and to think more about the future, instead of just looking at today's forms of construction and transport.

    On a bus tour through Wil West.
  • «Johanna»: New residential development with a historical namesake

    «Johanna»: New residential development with a historical namesake

    Grain, flour and bread: for centuries it was this triad that shaped human life and survival. This is also the case in Weinfelden, whose mill was built by the municipality in 1784. Around a hundred years later, it was bought by the miller Hermann Meyerhans. After his early death, his wife Johanna Meyerhans took over the management. Back in 1897, a woman with four small children at the head of a large mill was anything but ordinary. Johanna Meyerhans ran the mill for 19 years and with great success. She died in 1936 at the age of 82.

    The Meyerhans mill is still in the Sangenfeld West area in Weinfelden. In the immediate vicinity, a street will soon bear the name of Johanna Meyerhans – and thus be one of the first two streets in Weinfelden to be named after women. On this street – today it is still called Thurfeldstrasse – the "Johanna" development is also being built. Two apartment buildings with a total of 33 condominiums are being built on a plot of 3005 square meters.

    3.5 and 4.5 room apartments and a 5.5 room attic apartment are planned. The ground floor apartments have covered seating and private gardens, the apartments on the remaining floors have large balconies and terraces.

    The development is located directly on the Thur Canal. There are shops, a kindergarten, schools and sports facilities, a vita parcours and an outdoor swimming pool nearby. A nicely structured architecture, bright facades, large balconies and terraces as well as small, secluded spots give the development a cozy and friendly flair.

    The attractiveness of the residential development should not be based on superficial chic and unnecessary accessories, but on well thought-out solutions. «Johanna» wants to be an oasis in which people feel comfortable. It is expected to be ready for occupancy from February 2024. Construction work is expected to start in November 2021.

  • Sargans Cantonal School is being renovated for 50 million francs

    Sargans Cantonal School is being renovated for 50 million francs

    The Sargans canton school has been in operation in its existing form for over 50 years and is in need of renovation. It can no longer meet today's structural requirements in terms of earthquake security, building technology and insulation. There is also a lack of around 1900 square meters of school, preparation and group rooms that ensure modern teaching in the long term. In addition, central facilities such as the cafeteria are too small and there are only a small number of student and teacher workplaces.

    The plan is to demolish the west and south wings dating from 1963 and 1969. They will be replaced by contemporary new buildings. L-shaped extensions are to be built, which together with the east and north wings form a rectangular structure. At the center is an identity-creating courtyard.

    The new west wing will house the cafeteria with outdoor seating, a kitchen, foyer, auditorium and some classrooms. In the new south wing there is space for additional class, subject and group rooms as well as rooms for administration and teaching staff. In the east and north tracts, there are mainly renovations with regard to earthquake security. Continuous access corridors on the upper floors ensure short connecting routes with common areas.

    A loan of CHF 49.9 million was granted for the project. Of this, 3 million are for the existing buildings and 46.9 million for the new buildings. Construction work is scheduled to begin in summer 2023 and will last three years. School operations in the east and north wing will continue – temporary arrangements will be built for the south and west wing.

    The St. Gallen electorate approved the building project in 2014. A total of 17 objections were received in 2018. These were rejected by the municipality of Sargans, but a resident filed an appeal against the decision with the Department of Economic Affairs. This also rejected the objection, whereupon the recurrent filed the complaint before the federal court. In May 2021, the latter also rejected the complaint in the last instance. Now nothing stands in the way of the planned renovation and expansion of the canton school.

  • Breeze Arbon: from hardware store to residential development

    Breeze Arbon: from hardware store to residential development

    For thirty years there was a jumbo hardware store on the 8,600 square meter area in Arbon. It was demolished at the end of 2018. There are now two new buildings here: The Breeze residential complex offers a total of 63 apartments in two houses.

    Breeze is located directly on Lake Constance, between the city's waterfront promenade, designed as a chestnut avenue, and Bahnhofstrasse, on a plot of land with a connection to the lake. The park-like surroundings, the proximity to the train station, the historic old town and the shopping facilities of Arbon are also intended to make the centrally located development an attractive place to live.

    In modern apartments, classic, high-quality materials should convey style and comfort. The apartments with 2.5, 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5 rooms have large windows, spacious floor plans and bright rooms. Your terraces are large and partly all around. With its generously designed outdoor spaces, Breeze should blend in harmoniously with the surroundings and location directly on the water.

    The architecture competition for Breeze took place in 2017. The jury decided in favor of the project by the Caruso St John Architects.

    The two angular houses with receding outer corners each have five main floors and an attic floor. They are mirrored to each other and rotated 180 degrees. There is a shared underground parking garage under the two structures.

    Towards the lake, the houses border a semi-private open space with seating and trees. The houses are accessed on Bahnhofstrasse. The re-entrant corner areas are transformed into clearly delimited, greened front zones by pavilions. From here, footpaths also lead to the open space on the lake side and on to Kastanienallee.

    Breeze complies with the Minergie guidelines and uses environmentally friendly district heating. As a further contribution to sustainability, the flat roofs of the building are greened. The roof structure is chosen in such a way that the rainwater is largely retained.

    Construction work started in early 2019. The development has been in place since December 2020. All 63 apartments have already been sold and will be ready for occupancy at the end of 2021.

  • A lighthouse project for Wil

    A lighthouse project for Wil

    The development on Untere Bahnhofstrasse 1-11 is the result of a study commission to meet the high architectural and site planning requirements at this location, which is important in terms of traffic engineering and construction. The location between the railway tracks and Unterer Bahnhofstrasse placed high demands on the organization and floor plans in terms of emissions, living hygiene and quality of living: "In Eastern Switzerland, the first development of this size is being built here, which will be certified for a 2000 watt area," says the project manager Stefan Schreiber from real estate developer Mettler2Invest AG. "The new building eliminates a problem at the train station that has been referred to as a 'scand stain' in the local press for years."

    A new, covered two-wheeler parking facility for over 600 bicycles is being built in the basement. This is operated by the city of Wil and is directly connected to the SBB pedestrian underpass. With 100 units from 1½ to 5½ rooms, the complex offers a wide range of living space, suitable for single households, couples, families and senior citizens. 4100 m2 of space is available for office, service and retail use. The central location directly on the station square and on platform 1 of the SBB offers tenants and customers very good public access. The building is architecturally and economically a lighthouse project for Wil.

  • Park Ost: Entrepreneurship meets research

    Park Ost: Entrepreneurship meets research

    A lot of innovation is already happening three kilometers from the city center of St. Gallen. This is where Empa is located, the ETH Domain's interdisciplinary research institute for materials science and technology. Right next to it is a 35,000 square meter commercial property, where a community of start-ups, SMEs and technology-oriented companies has developed over the past ten years. The Startfeld association, a network for innovations and start-ups, is also located here. It provides managed premises – event rooms, meeting rooms, meeting points, a makerspace and a co-working space. There is also a publicly accessible canteen.

    The Switzerland Innovation Park Ost aims to establish itself in this area by 2022. There are currently reserves of 9,000 square meters of commercial and industrial building land here. With a standard construction method of 18 meters high, this results in development potential of almost 18,000 square meters of usable space. For an initial expansion phase, there are plans to initially have around 6500 square meters of usable space. It is expected that this could be achieved by 2025. Two further expansion stages can be implemented as required.

    The areas that are already available are suitable as clean rooms, laboratories and rooms for industrial production. Most of the available spaces have plenty of natural light and are therefore also suitable as offices, meeting rooms or for events.

    Park Ost is to become a globally recognized center where companies in Eastern Switzerland promote innovations in selected areas on the basis of research by Empa, the St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital and the University of St. Gallen. The focus of innovation at Park Ost is dedicated to the development of technologies for health and medical technology as well as in the machine, electrical and metal industries. With regard to these technologies, he also deals with digitization – in particular artificial intelligence and the “Internet of Things”.

    How does Park Ost actually create synergies between business and research? Companies can bring their projects to Park Ost. Depending on the scope of the projects, they also send employees to the park's location. The research institutions can also send employees to the park and thus bring research expertise into project operation. You support the project team of a company or work as your own project team.

    Park Ost is run by a private stock corporation. Switzerland Innovation Park AG was founded at the beginning of September 2021. She gives herself ten years to make the Innovationspark Ost financially self-sustaining.

    An external location of Park Ost is RhySearch in Buchs. A campus is planned there, where the University of Applied Sciences in Eastern Switzerland, the Buchs vocational and advanced training center and the Alpine Rhine Valley Precision Industry Center are located. The Buchs campus has 8,000 square meters of industrial building land reserves.

  • Rorschach: New district on a former industrial site

    Rorschach: New district on a former industrial site

    The beginnings of the field mill, once a grain mill, go back to the Middle Ages. Towards the end of the 19th century, embroidery, fabric and adhesive foils were produced in the factories on the Feldmühle site. In 2015, the adhesive tape manufacturer Scapa (Schweiz) AG gave up the Rorschach production site.

    Since then, it has been quiet on the Feldmühle site at Rorschach Stadt train station. Only the historical buildings are evidence of the once industrial boom. But in the coming years a new chapter will begin on the site.

    In 2017 the Steiner Investment Foundation bought the Feldmühle site. Together with the city of Rorschach and the project developer Steiner AG, she developed a concept for the area based on the urban development program “Seestadt Rorschach” in order to ensure both quality and economic viability. The renovation of existing buildings and the construction of new ones should bring the area back to life. From 2026 the Feldmühle site will offer the population more than 300 new rental and owner-occupied apartments as well as commercial space, squares, green spaces and quiet inner courtyards.

    The project for the Feldmühle is also the result of an architecture study competition in 2018. The winning project combines individual buildings that are valuable in terms of building history and create identity with new buildings. The original character of the former industrial plant should remain noticeable and is underlined by the equivalent urban planning address. A green outside space connects buildings and inner courtyards. The area can be crossed via alleys and stairs.

    The lively west of the area creates meeting places for the population, space for business and is located directly at the Rorschach Stadt train station. A quieter, more individual world, on the other hand, is emerging in the east of the Feldmühle area. It contains mostly apartments and is characterized by a strong relationship to the inner-city green space. In addition, there is the future open stream and the free space in the direction of the Evangelical Reformed Church. The two worlds are closely interwoven and give the quarter a varied overall appearance.

    The area is currently being used temporarily. Under this name, the former gluing factory serves as an event space for events for up to 100 people. When the weather is nice, the glue shop runs a garden restaurant. She has an open
    air area with a covered event stage and space for 300 people. In addition, the roofs of the Feldmühle area were home to a colony of bees from summer 2019 to summer 2020 – a collaboration with a local beekeeper.

  • University of St. Gallen, new campus by Pascal Flammer

    University of St. Gallen, new campus by Pascal Flammer

    The University of St. Gallen is running out of space. A second campus is therefore being built on the Platztor site at Unteren Graben in order to continue to fulfill its core tasks in teaching and research in a high-quality manner. Not only will space be created for research and teaching, but a new piece of the city will also be added. The architectural competition for the design of the new urban building block has been decided.

    The new campus should one day offer enough space for the training of 3,000 students. A large auditorium with space for 400 people is planned for the two basement floors. A spacious park will be created around the building, which, like the building, will be open to the public.

    59 projects were submitted to the open competition. After none of them were unreservedly convincing, the jury decided on an anonymous level of adjustment. In the end, Pascal Flammer's “House in the Park” project prevailed. Flammer's proposal envisages a building eighty meters long and forty meters wide that will stand in the middle of a public park. To do this, the building is set back from the street. The six-story building made of wood, concrete and glass appears light and transparent on the visualizations.

    The public-oriented uses such as the cafeteria are oriented towards St. Gallen's beautiful old town. When developing the campus, Flammer focused on public transport. From the existing campus, you can walk above and below ground to the new building.

    After construction begins in 2025, the building is expected to be operational in 2029. For the urban development of St. Gallen, the project means a big step into the future.

  • "The St. Gallen quarters of the future should be lively, diverse and mixed"

    "The St. Gallen quarters of the future should be lively, diverse and mixed"

    To person
    Maria Pappa was born in St. Gallen in 1971 and grew up in the city. In 2016, the daughter of southern Italian immigrants was elected city councilor, and since this year the social democrat has been city president of the city of St. Gallen and heads the interior and finance department. Before that, she headed the Planning and Construction Directorate as a city councilor. Maria Pappa studied social pedagogy at the higher technical school for social work in Rorschach. Before her election, she headed the closed department of the Platanenhof youth home in Oberuzwil and later the municipal day care for school children. Before moving into social work, the commercial high school graduate worked in the accounting department of an insurance company.

    Ms. Pappa, you have been the mayor of the city since the beginning of this year and are in charge of the Interior and Finance Directorate. Before that, as a city councilor, you headed the planning and construction department. How did you experience the change?
    After the election of the city president and the subsequent constituent meeting of the city council, things went very quickly; there were only four weeks left for the actual change. The induction as mayor and in the new management were shaped by the pandemic: most of the contacts with employees and external parties were virtual. There were only a few representative tasks – and they were limited to video messages for online events. This shift of personal exchange into the digital space made social contacts and real relationship building more difficult. At the same time, however, I was less bound by representative tasks and was able to immerse myself in the projects and peculiarities of the new management.

    Why did you decide to change management after four years of planning and construction?
    The distribution of the directorates is a matter for the city council as a whole. Together we looked at all the options and decided on the most ideal. Personally, I was happy to be the head of the planning department. I would have liked to stay there. After four years you are really familiar with the projects and have accompanied many of them from the start. However, the new function as mayor is associated with many representative tasks as well as sitting on committees. A close relationship with the city chancellery is very important. The fulfillment of these additional tasks with the simultaneous management of the so broad-based planning and construction department is not feasible in terms of time.

    Which projects were milestones for you as the head of planning and construction that you were allowed to support?
    When I received the voting results for the redesign of Marktplatz and Bohl, a stone fell from my heart. Getting a consensus-based marketplace project through at the third attempt was intensive work. The redesign of Zürcher Strasse was also blocked for a long time. In 2018, the city parliament approved the proposed project. The redesign is to begin next year. The numerous school and care projects formed a focus. The largest project deserves special mention here: the new Riethüsli school building. This has long been expected in the quarter – in November 2020 the electorate approved it. During these four years, many important strategy papers were also worked on in the background, including living space, open space, tree and interior development strategies. Some are relevant for the revision of the building and zoning regulations. They will all shape the structural development of the city.

    What projects are at the top of your agenda for you as the head of the Internal Affairs and Finance Directorate?
    There are currently three current topics: I want to make St. Gallen better known as an attractive city and thus correct and improve the slightly outdated, “crumbly” image that we ourselves have of our city. When it comes to finances, St. Gallen has a solid financial basis. But it has shown a latent structural deficit for years, which is particularly evident in budgeting. The effort increases more than the income. One of the goals will therefore be to correct this structural imbalance. And finally, the cultural life of the city is close to my heart. It is important to me to implement the cultural concept that was adopted in 2020.

    In 2020, a large local recreation area was opened in a densely populated area on the Burgweiher site. Are there similar land projects / land reserves that could be implemented / developed in the next few years?
    The fact that we were able to make such a large green space in the middle of the city accessible to the public is a stroke of luck and certainly unique in this form. In the next few years, it will be more about residential and commercial space. The major development areas that will occupy the city in the next few years are on the one hand in the Ruckhalde. The diameter line of the Appenzeller Bahnen has freed up an area that the city wants to develop especially for residential use. On the other hand, an attractive new district is to be created in St. Fiden. The area around the train station offers a lot of potential for internal densification and an attractive redesign.

    In its Vision 2030, the city council assumes that the city of St. Gallen will grow and that the population will develop into a multicultural urban society. How do you, as mayor, support this vision?
    With its living space, interior development and open space strategy, St. Gallen has shown how it intends to face the future as a strong, innovative and attractive city. The real estate strategy will be added shortly. We are actively trying to convey this forward-looking image to the outside world with the “Santa” campaign. Even as director of planning and construction, collaboration and participation were important to me. With the revision of the participation regulations, the city has finally taken on a culture of participation since this year. It seems natural to me that we will continue to include those who live in this city when it comes to designing this city. Participation also means that we seek cooperation and exchange with our own canton and neighboring cantons, the municipalities and other cities and cultivate synergies.

    What exactly is the housing strategy of the City of St. Gallen?
    The living space strategy is primarily about creating new, attractive living space as well as renewing existing living space. For this purpose, the housing strategy defines a total of 14 goals and 27 measures in six fields of action. The housing offer should be varied and tailored to different target groups and the housing development should be implemented in a socially acceptable manner. Innovative residential projects such as multi-generational living and post-family living are part of the strategy. The districts are also an essential aspect of the housing strategy. The St. Gallen quarters of the future should be lively, diverse and mixed and promote an attractive living environment. In order to achieve these goals, the city chooses to cooperate and wants to promote dialogue with those involved in housing construction.

    «
    The future St. Gallen quarters should be lively and mixed
    »

    What challenges does the road to “residential city 2030” bring with it?
    The question arises as to how good quality internal compression can be reconciled with attractive open spaces. The fact that more people will live in the same room in the future should not impair the quality of living and amenity. To make matters worse is climate change, the effects of which pose major challenges, especially for urban areas. The aim will be to use structural measures to avoid heat islands in particular and to promote networking and biodiversity. All of these challenges are ultimately about the residents themselves. I am convinced that we can achieve better solutions if we can tap the potential of the city and its residents in participatory processes.

    What measures can the strategy be implemented with?
    The catalog of measures of the housing strategy comprises 27 specific measures. This can be analyzes of specific situations, the creation of new financial and legal instruments or specific construction projects. Ultimately, it is about creating the basis and framework conditions so that the city can develop in the direction indicated by the housing strategy.

    What advantages does the city have for companies willing to settle and for newcomers?
    St. Gallen has a diverse range that is impressive. The city stands for education, culture and innovation. At the same time, the quality of life is unique thanks to the location in beautiful nature between Säntis and Lake Constance and with an abundance of cultural and gastronomic offers. St. Gallen is a city of short distances, which makes networking and organization easier than in larger cities. For companies and especially private individuals, St. Gallen impresses with its compactness and its ideal mix of urbanity and closeness to nature. As an educational location with the world-renowned University of St. Gallen (HSG) and OST Ostschweizer Fachhochschule, St. Gallen has many bright and well-trained people. The city is also busy developing various areas, primarily in the west, and adding new uses for trade, industry and research.

    Where does the city need to improve if it wants to become even more attractive?
    Even if the city can naturally improve in many areas, such as exciting housing offers, I don't think St. Gallen needs to hide. Many of the city's advantages and attractive offers are simply not well known. This is one of the reasons why we started the marketing campaign.

    The St. Gallen Energy Act contains new structural measures that affect energy consumption in new buildings and in existing houses. The new regulations have been in effect since July 1, 2021. What are the key changes for residential and commercial property owners?
    The addendum to the Energy Act is based on the federal government's climate targets of halving CO2 emissions by 2030. New buildings should therefore rely on renewable energies in the future and cover part of their electricity needs through in-house production. For existing properties, new requirements apply when replacing an existing heating system. Either heating systems with renewable energy should be used or energy should be saved through better insulation. The Office for Building Permits will be happy to advise owners.

    How have property gains taxes developed recently? How will things go in the near future?
    Property gains taxes have almost tripled. This is mainly due to the rise in real estate prices. We have seen a very active real estate market in recent years. Due to the lack of alternatives, real estate has proven to be a good investment opportunity. In the future, developments will depend on the investment market and interest rates. I assume that the current trend will continue a little longer.

  • The groundbreaking ceremony for the Rietbach Center has taken place

    The groundbreaking ceremony for the Rietbach Center has taken place

    The starting shot for the Rietbach Center has been given. Representatives of the municipality of Bachenbülach, tenants and other guests attended the groundbreaking ceremony, according to a message from P&F Immobilien . Burger King, the hotel chain Schatz AG and Bodypalace Gym, which will also offer physiotherapy, have been won as anchor tenants.

    The new health, commercial and service center in the Zürcher Unterland is only about three minutes from the Bülach-Süd / Bachenbülach motorway exit. It will have freely expandable areas that are just as suitable for medical practices and other providers in the health sector as for specialized shops. The health services offered are intended on the one hand to ensure basic care, while on the other hand medical specialists are also to be settled there. The future tenants should also benefit from synergy effects from the surrounding centers.

    On the ground floor of the Rietbach Center, an area of 3000 square meters is available for trade and services. This is supplemented by 1,600 square meters of rental space on the upper floor.

  • Steiner sells Immo-Projekt to Fortimo

    Steiner sells Immo-Projekt to Fortimo

    Steiner AG has decided to “adjust the portfolio”. As a result, it sells the entire Widacher project in Fischbach-Göslikon to Fortimo Invest AG . According to a press release , Fortimo will begin with the implementation of the first construction phase in the coming year. There is already a building permit for this.

    Initially, 16 terraced houses are to be built on an abandoned industrial site. This first stage also includes a further 42 apartments in three apartment buildings and two listed buildings. A total of 165 residential units in ten multi-family houses and 46 row single-family houses are planned on this site. They are to be built in three sections.

    “With Fortimo we can hand over this great project to a long-standing partner company, which ensures the successful implementation and further development of this attractive residential complex,” Steiner CEO Michael Schiltknecht is quoted as saying.

  • Walo Bertschinger renovates the Bad Ragaz thermal baths

    Walo Bertschinger renovates the Bad Ragaz thermal baths

    As part of a renovation work in the Bad Ragaz SG thermal baths, the Dietiker construction company Walo Bertschinger renewed the floor coverings. According to a message from Walo on Facebook, the Walo bedding Haypanol D was laid with a special system constellation.

    According to the company announcement, high demands were placed on slip resistance, UV resistance and optics in the thermal baths. In the system constellation used by Walo, these conditions of the client Grand Resort Bad Ragaz were met. The multi-layer structure of the covering and its technical properties also showed high chemical resistance, so that various cleaning agents, greases, other deposits and chemical solutions cannot harm the covering.

    According to Walo, the architecture of the famous thermal baths with its special appearance corresponds to the snow-white surface.

  • Steiner AG is redeveloping the industrial area in Breitenbach

    Steiner AG is redeveloping the industrial area in Breitenbach

    The Steiner Investment Foundation wants to convert the Isola area not far from the center of Breitenbach into a residential and commercial area. The owner of the eleven hectare site has commissioned the construction service provider Steiner AG with this, according to a media release . The residents of Breitenbach are to be included in the development process from next year.

    The project developer also wants to open up the Isola area, which is located directly on the Lüssel, to the public. “This can look forward to new, attractive meeting and green areas, which will be created in place of the existing company roads and storage areas”, Stefan Gabriel, team leader for real estate development at Steiner AG, is quoted in the media release.

    The new quarter is not intended to compete with the village center, but rather to complement it. An intensive exchange is currently taking place with the Breitenbach municipal administration about the respective ideas and expectations. As a basis for a common understanding of the spatial development of the area, an urban development and open space planning test planning process will also be carried out, according to the media release. Renowned architectural offices and landscape architects would be invited to come up with suggestions.

    Construction on the first stage is expected to start in 2029. During the planning phase, however, the company wants to enable interim uses and, if necessary, bring forward individual conversion projects in existing buildings.

    The Steiner Invest Foundation, a Zurich-based asset management company for Swiss pension funds and an investment foundation of Steiner AG, acquired the 114,280 square meter area with its largely empty industrial and warehouse buildings in spring 2021.

  • Bühler builds center for positive energy and innovations

    Bühler builds center for positive energy and innovations

    Bühler AG has officially broken ground for its new Energy & Manufacturing Technology Center in Uzwil. The building in the immediate vicinity of the Cubic Innovationscampus, which was inaugurated in 2018, underlines the technology company’s long-term renewal strategy, according to a media release. Completion should be in the second quarter of 2023.

    On the one hand, the building consists of an energy center. The center for “good, positive energy” is to become the center for vocational and advanced training as well as for health prevention. Young men and women are trained there in the areas of plant engineering, polymechanics, automation and IT. This center should also be accessible to external partners.

    “We are clearly committed to the success model of our vocational training and lifelong learning. We are also expanding our health expertise much more and making a further contribution to keeping Uzwil as an attractive business location, ”said Christof Oswald, Head of Human Resources at Bühler, in the media release. Overall, the Energy Center aims to make Bühler more attractive as an employer.

    The second part of the building, the Manufacturing Technology Center, will house the areas of innovation and prototype construction. “Here we will manufacture innovations for our customers as pilot projects that we will later introduce in other production plants around the world,” said Andreas Schachtner, Head of Business Development in Manufacturing, Logistics & Supply Chain, in the media release.

  • The groundbreaking ceremony for QUBO has taken place

    The groundbreaking ceremony for QUBO has taken place

    The foundation stone for the QUBO in Sarnen was laid on Monday. The construction work for two interconnected buildings began. On the one hand, Eberli AG is modernizing and expanding its existing headquarters there. On the other hand, the Obwaldner Kantonalbank ( OKB ) is building a new building. Above all, the Startup Pilatus association should find space there. It promotes the settlement of start-ups in Obwalden. Both buildings are to merge into one unit through a central entrance, according to a press release by OKB.

    “The QUBO will create a new, lively workplace in Sarnen,” the CEO of OKB, Bruno Thürig, is quoted as saying. “It creates space for new concepts and ideas in which the digital world of work and New Work can be lived.”

    Accordingly, coworking workplaces, open spaces and various meeting rooms would also be offered in the new building. The OKB itself will set up a room as a creative lab. The room should also be available to external companies.

    The redesign of the office space also enables Eberli AG to “work in a contemporary and efficient manner”, says CEO Alain Grossenbacher. In addition to Eberli AG, the future co-owner of the building, Orfida Treuhand + Revisions AG, and werkunion ag will also settle there. Architekturwerk ag, which is responsible for the architecture of the QUBO, belongs to it.

  • Construction of the InnoQube Swiss has started

    Construction of the InnoQube Swiss has started

    The latest innovation center in the Alpine region is currently being built in Graubünden. The groundbreaking ceremony for the InnoQube Swiss was celebrated on Friday in the Rossboden area of Chur. According to a notification , the project will be fully financed by the Liechtenstein- based ITW group of companies . It specifies the total investment at around CHF 25 million.

    The CEO of the investor and project developer, Dr. Martin Meyer, is convinced that this will create “a place of innovation, inspiration and progress that will become known far beyond the Swiss borders”. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the operating company InnoQube Swiss AG, Franco Quinter, emphasizes that the InnoQube Swiss is viewed as a temporary or permanent “base camp for innovations”. The offer is aimed “specifically at start-ups, spin-offs and companies from research, development and digitization”. “The key issues of health and performance would play a decisive role”.

    Completion is planned for the end of 2023. From 2024 research and work will be carried out in the four-story InnoQube on a total area of 11,200 square meters. It offers flexible office space for around 300 workplaces, various co-working and meeting rooms, an event arena, a restaurant and a daycare center.

  • Schlieren expands planning for Zelgli school complex

    Schlieren expands planning for Zelgli school complex

    The city council of Schlieren has initiated an extended strategic plan for the Zelgli school complex. According to the city council news, the increasing number of students makes new planning necessary. In order to optimally determine the future development of the Zelgli school complex, the city council approved a loan for a feasibility study in July 2019. In April 2020, based on the current figures, two to four additional classrooms, two additional kindergartens and a triple after-school care center were planned. As early as September 2020, the latest figures showed that four new classrooms, two kindergartens and a quadruple day-care center are needed, according to the city council news.

    Structural adjustments are therefore necessary, such as enlarging the teachers’ room or installing additional sanitary facilities. Due to the changed order volume, a loan is now required for strategic planning. The city council has now approved it with 80,000 francs.

    According to the detailed message about the city council resolutions available on the website of the city of Schlieren, the school space requirements are calculated and planned twice a year based on the currently known data. The first order for spatial planning and open space planning with a volume of around 39,000 francs has already been placed with Metron Architektur AG in Brugg AG.

  • A whole ship for the real estate industry

    A whole ship for the real estate industry

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    Where does this saxophone come from? –Mr. G-Sax, one of the most renowned saxophonists in Switzerland, shortens the waiting time at the entrance control. “This is my 10th time here,” he says during a break in play. «The Immo-Boat was a hit right from the start. The whole real estate scene meets here in an almost familiar setting. You know each other, talk about the respective business situation and look forward to seeing you again. ” It is also clever that the Immo-Boat has always taken place on a Monday, which Marnie Baldessari from SVIT Zurich confirms: “We always plan the Immo-Boat on the last Monday of August. Because of Corona, it was September this year. But on Monday, unlike other days of the week, people have time. “

    After previous speakers such as Thomas Borer (2011), Valentin NJ Landmann (2013), Jean-Claude Biver (2016), Bertrand Piccard (2017) or Ottmar Hitzfeld (2018), this year Mario Gyr, Olympic champion, rowing world champion and European champion in the lightweight foursome without a helmsman as well as Olympic diploma holder from London 2012, the honor. In his presentation, he chatted freshly and freely from the sewing box of a top athlete and repeatedly drew parallels to today’s working life, and not only in the real estate industry. With his thoroughly sympathetic manner, he conquered the audience in no time and thanked him by handing around his gold medal, which feels much heavier than expected in terms of weight.

    Once again, the Lake Zurich tour on the MS Panta Rhei felt like a vacation: an idyllic ambience and wonderful landscapes, entertaining conversation partners and a cheerful after-work atmosphere among all guests are essential success factors. At the end of the evening there was not only fine wines and a generous aperitif, but also a cigar lounge on the sun deck. “Even people who normally don’t indulge in cigars come here to a Stump”, said one guest, almost cynically. Even the lighting glitch did not detract from the leisurely philosophizing. But on the contrary. Many a lady bobbed to the cool Mr. G-Sax beat almost like in the disco.

    True to the motto “Never Change a Winning Team”, along with SVIT CEO Pascal Stutz, Marnie Baldessari and Christoph M. Steiner, SRF presenter Monika Schärer was also present for the tenth time. No question: Both the Swiss Real Estate Association (SVIT) Zurich and the hosts ImmoScout24, Quooker, Raifeisen, Siemens Hausgeräte, Sunrise UPC and immo! Nvest can be satisfied. The tenth edition of the networking event for executives from the real estate industry will also be fondly remembered by all those involved. For Marnie Baldessari, every issue of Immo-Boat is a highlight: “We have many returning guests and we even have a waiting list. But because of Corona this has become shorter than it was before. ” Ship ahoy: See you again in 2022!

  • Halter AG realizes the VIVO Aesch project

    Halter AG realizes the VIVO Aesch project

    The Halter AG construction group is teaming up with the UBS Sima real estate fund as an investor and future builder to implement the VIVO Aesch project. According to the press release , the legally binding building permit for a new development with residential, commercial and commercial use at the northern entrance to the municipality of Aesch is available. The 15,188 square meter area was used by the previous landowner Victus Real Estate AG as a material storage and transshipment point.

    The new mixed-use development is to be built by 2024, with around 85 percent of the main area being intended for residential use. According to a press release, after the development phase was completed in July, Halter AG was able to win an investor in Balintra for VIVO Aesch. Balintra AG in Basel is a real estate company owned by the UBS Sima real estate fund.

    The new property owner will transfer the project with an investment volume of around 150 million Swiss francs as builder together with Halter as developer and overall provider into the first construction phase from this autumn.

    According to Halter, the project comprises four building units. The 40 meter high VIVOTower at the motorway turn marks the entrance to the municipality of Aesch. On the lower floors, the tower offers space for commercial use and the TowerCafe. In addition, 36 apartments and 80 rental apartments are planned.

    The VIVOHof is another building with mixed use, with areas for small businesses and 36 rental apartments on the upper floors. The VIVOKamm comprises 57 rental apartments with south-facing terraces as well as a common room with access to the neighborhood square. VIVOQube offers a further 55 rental apartments on six floors, mostly maisonette apartments.

    According to Halter AG, the start of marketing for the commercial space is in spring 2022, and for the apartments in spring 2023. Completion is planned for the third quarter of 2024.

  • Inventx can expand its headquarters in Chur

    Inventx can expand its headquarters in Chur

    Inventx has received the green light to expand its headquarters in Chur, according to a press release . The IT service provider wants to build a new building on the area of the old forestry workshop in the city center. This should offer space for more than 200 employees. In addition, there will be space in the new building for apartments, restaurants, a daycare center and the Chur city archive.

    Inventx has been planning to expand its headquarters for four years. However, the project was delayed due to “objections from the neighborhood”. Ultimately, the complaints landed before the federal court. But she rejected this.

    “We are pleased that the project can now finally be realized and that the fallow area in the city center is revitalized,” says Mayor Urs Marti (FDP) in the press release. “In addition, the project strengthens Chur as a business location in the long term and thus also strengthens the city’s position as an attractive ICT location,” he adds.

  • Halter breaks ground for development in Langnau

    Halter breaks ground for development in Langnau

    The groundbreaking ceremony for a new residential and commercial building was carried out on Wednesday afternoon on the area north of the Ilfiskreisel in Langnau iE. According to the media release , the construction company Halter AG from Schlieren will be realizing the development on behalf of the insurance company Visana Services AG as general contractor. In autumn 2023, Aldi Suisse is to move into its new retail space there, the first Aldi location in the upper Emmental. At the same time, the reference date for the rental apartments and other commercial space in the new building is.

    According to Halter, the overall project provides for a mixed use of a retail space on the ground floor rented to Aldi Suisse, rental apartments and a proportion of commercial and office space for third parties. In addition, there is a public outside space as a central access area to the building on the south side and on the east side an outside space with play and lounge area that can only be used by the tenants. The delivery area for the shop is on the west side and the entrance to the parking garage is on the north side.

    One floor has an Aldi staff room as well as nine rental apartments and a commercial unit. A further 16 rental apartments with their own loggia or terrace are being built on the two floors above. Cellar and technical rooms as well as an underground car park with around 80 parking spaces are planned for the two basement floors.

  • "Zurich should become even stronger as an innovation location"

    "Zurich should become even stronger as an innovation location"

    At the beginning of this year you took over the management of location promotion. What measures have you taken to settle in well and quickly?
    Fabian Streiff: An important point for me was networking with cantonal actors, representatives from business and science. Due to the circumstances, this first had to be done virtually. But even more relevant for me was the question of how we can support companies – especially during the pandemic. The companies’ need for information was enormous. Especially in times when instruments such as short-time work and hardship aid were used.

    What exactly have you done to support the companies?
    The Office for Economy and Labor sought an intensive exchange with entrepreneurs early on in order to find out which issues we need to address at national level and which we can solve within the canton. We have also set up a hotline for companies and continuously updated various websites. Now we are looking to the future and addressing the question of how we can positively influence the attractiveness of Zurich as a business location.

    What is this plan like?
    Discussions with Zurich-based companies confirmed that we should focus even more on an attractive innovation location. Innovations are increasingly emerging in networks, which is why strong innovation ecosystems make a significant contribution to the future success of Zurich’s economy. This needs to be strengthened. A central theme are new hybrid forms of work such as home offices or working from co-working spaces. We have to ask ourselves what this means for the location and its development. It is also exciting to see how Zurich can remain an attractive business location for companies. Are there opportunities to improve access to talent and specialists, especially in the context of mobile working? What role can the state play in making a contribution here? These are all open questions – we are already seeing trends, but of course also the consequences of them, such as the discussion about making labor law more flexible.

    Is Zurich really losing its attractiveness as a business location?
    Many companies answer this question with a resounding no. But shifts are becoming apparent. Large companies are forecasting a concentration on individual locations within the next two years. This means that certain properties could become vacant. On the other hand, these could quickly be used again for new forms of work such as co-working spaces. Rural centers are likely to be revitalized thanks to home office options. The business location Zurich is also strengthened by the universities, which do a great job with their successful spin-offs and research work and are right at the top of the rankings. The companies in the canton of Zurich were also able to attract risk capital on a large scale last year, which is very gratifying.

    How did this positive development come about despite the pandemic?
    Zurich has positioned itself well in recent years, especially with a view to digital transformation. Top talent is needed here and can be found at the Zurich location. This is thanks to the universities and the talent pool, which has been able to develop significantly in recent years. At first the banks had a magnetic effect, now it is the large companies from the information and communication technology sector. The interaction of the various industries is very promising for the future. We are also registering positive developments in the area of research. The points mentioned are becoming more and more relevant in the location competition. But other locations don’t sleep and have positioned themselves very well nationally and internationally, which is why the leading position of the Canton of Zurich cannot be taken for granted. It must continue to be strengthened in the area of innovation.

    The canton of Zurich is Switzerland’s leading business location. Why?
    The attractiveness of Zurich is based on various factors. Starting with education, through a highly qualified workforce, to strong sectors from the financial sector and increasingly from the areas of life science technology, cleantech and information and communication technology. This diversity of competencies enables strong ecosystems, which strengthen cross-industry learning and innovation. The quality of life per se also speaks in favor of Zurich as a location.

    What are you doing to secure this status in the future?
    Our new strategy has three focal points: The first is the strong focus on innovation topics in the areas of financial technology, digital health, biotech, cleantech and new mobility. Here we want to create more networking and opportunities for cooperation. The second focus is on cooperation with regional location subsidies in order to strengthen the diversity of the industry. The size of the Canton of Zurich requires networked work in order to do justice to the diversity of the individual regions. In this way, we can also support exciting regional projects, such as was the case with the Bio-Technopark in Schlieren. We are currently also seeing this at the Digital Health Center in Bülach. The third focus is on creating attractive framework conditions, especially in the area of innovation. Here we can work to ensure that the regulations at federal level are adapted for specific innovation topics.

    Which regulations are in urgent need of adjustment?
    With Zurich as a strong innovation location, the focus is currently on the consequences and solutions following the failed framework agreement with the EU. The exclusion from Horizon Europe weighs heavily. Adjustments to labor law due to changed needs must also be checked – such as when working on the move.

    Which areas are companies currently looking for the most?
    From the customer side, we see a need for space in well-developed locations that are integrated into an ecosystem. Connections to universities are being sought more and more. Biotech laboratories are also becoming increasingly important. Schlieren was able to develop enormously in this area. Nevertheless, we are registering a demand here that cannot yet be satisfied nationwide.

    What is the problem?
    In the biotech sector, the space that comes onto the market is occupied again very quickly. More and more investors are needed who are willing to invest in laboratories. Such a project usually takes two years or more to develop. Appropriate foresighted planning is imperative.

    How do you see the future for the office buildings in the canton of Zurich in light of the changing work models?
    We are currently grappling with this question. In general, employers want to become even more attractive. The demands on an office workplace will therefore increase. But whether that means that more space is required for each employee, or whether there will be mergers, we will only see in one or two years. But we believe that co-working will become even more important. However, in a more comprehensive form than today – in the sense of a meeting place where an in-depth exchange with science, the authorities and other actors in the ecosystem can take place. Quasi a co-working plus.

    Which locations are most desirable?
    The city of Zurich and the airport region remain very attractive. At the airport, we are seeing high demand for the newly built The Circle. And the Limmattal has become even more attractive with the Limmattalbahn and the Bio-Technopark. The city of Winterthur and the Zimmerberg region are also popular locations thanks to the ZHAW.

    Which companies are interested in The Circle?
    The Circle not only attracts companies from the information and communication technology sector such as Microsoft or Oracle, but also from the life sciences sector. Digital health is an important topic here. After a difficult start-up phase caused by Corona, the business on the Circle is now picking up, and 85 percent of the space is already rented.

    What are the most important source markets for the Canton of Zurich?
    The USA is still by far the strongest market. Europe, especially Germany, as well as China and Japan are also important. We are now concentrating on Korea and Israel. Companies are increasingly thinking in terms of research and development hubs. For many companies, Zurich is not only an international business location, but also such a hub. Marketing abroad is handled by the Greater Zurich Area location marketing organization for us.

    How should Zurich as a business location develop over the next 10 years?
    It should become even stronger as an innovation location. Zurich has a long history and is well known as a financial center. That is important – also with a view to future settlements in the area of financial technology. Zurich should also distinguish itself in the areas of artificial intelligence and new mobility, such as the development of autonomous systems. We believe in a move away from the traditional Zurich financial center towards a business location that will be very strong in the new topics mentioned and in digitization. The Zurich economy is already well positioned and is resistant to crises – but in the future Zurich should become even more innovative, attractive and thus even stronger.

    Fabian Streiff with his team.
  • Canton of Zurich – on the pulse of the action

    Canton of Zurich – on the pulse of the action

    The canton of Zurich is an important growth driver in the Swiss economy. Its gross domestic product (GDP) was more than CHF 143 billion in 2017. That corresponds to more than 20 percent of Swiss GDP. This means that the canton of Zurich has the greatest economic output and added value within Switzerland. The added value can be increased by companies, research and educational institutions and specialist organizations cooperating along the value chain in clusters such as financial services, life sciences, creative industries, cleantech, aerospace, information and communication technology. According to the Statistical Office, the canton of Zurich generates more than 20 percent of the Swiss gross domestic product (GDP) with an annual GDP volume of over CHF 120 billion. This is the greatest cantonal economic added value in Switzerland.

    Maintaining international relationships is also an opportunity to directly follow and actively influence international developments in both the economic and political spheres. The business contacts acquired in this way are of direct benefit to the representatives from business, science and administration based in the canton.

    In terms of quality of life and standard of living, Zurich has held top positions in international rankings for many years. The city of Zurich emerged as the winner of the well-known Mercer study on quality of life seven times in a row. It has been in second place since 2009. The study compares 230 cities based on 39 criteria such as health care, entertainment, shopping, schools, housing, environmental issues, and the political and economic situation.

    A new index also measures the economic and social distribution of prosperity for the first time, and the metropolis on the Limmat ranks first among 113 cities, as zh.ch writes: The “Prosperity and Inclusion in Cities Seal and Awards Index” not only measures economic growth, but above all its quality and what proportion the different population groups have in it. Zurich scored particularly well in terms of work, living, leisure, security and education. Vienna follows in second place, ahead of Copenhagen, Luxembourg and Helsinki. In the inner Swiss city ranking, Zurich ranks first and Winterthur third.

    Testimonials

    Carmen Walker Spah
    Government Councilor,
    Director of Economics

    Thanks to the first-class universities, the availability of specialists, the excellent infrastructure and the high innovative strength of our economy, the canton of Zurich is a highly attractive location for companies.

    David Allemann
    Co-founder On

    Zurich is cosmopolitan, cool and rethinks. It is important that many creative minds live and work in Zurich who drive the location forward in terms of creativity and innovation. So Zurich remains unique.

    René Kalt
    Managing Director
    Innovation Park Zurich

    Universities and numerous innovative companies make Zurich a perfect location for networking science and business. The Innovation Park Zurich contributes to this knowledge and technology transfer, making Zurich even more innovative.

    Mario Jenni
    Co-Founder &
    CEO Bio-Technopark Schlieren-Zurich

    Zurich is an excellent life sciences location due to numerous health and technology companies as well as excellent universities. The “Paradeplatz” of the biotech scene is located in Schlieren and is becoming more and more important nationally and internationally.

  • Adjusted asking rents rise slightly

    Adjusted asking rents rise slightly

    The monthly rent index compiled by the digital real estate marketplace homegate.ch from TX Group in cooperation with Zürcher Kantonalbank rose by 0.2 percent to 115.7 points across Switzerland in September compared to August, explains homegate.ch in a corresponding message . An increase of 0.8 percent has been observed over the past twelve months. In the individual cantons and cities, the index analysts observed different developments on a monthly basis.

    In some cantons, the changes compared to the previous month were stronger than usual, according to the announcement. The analysts observed the strongest increase in asking rents at 3.69 percent in Graubünden. But asking rents in Nidwalden and Uri also rose by a high 1.69 and 1.38 percent, respectively. In the cantons of Zug and Neuchâtel, on the other hand, asking rents were 1.25 and 1.21 percent lower than in August. With the exception of Lugano (+1.72 percent), the analysts recorded rather minor changes in the cities compared to the previous month.

    “The moving month of September was not only an active time for those moving, the asking rents also reflected this”, Fabian Korn from homegate.ch is quoted in the message. “It will be exciting to see how this will develop with the falling temperatures.”

    When recording the rental price changes for the rental index, the rental prices are corrected for different quality, location and size of the apartments, is explained in the communication. This makes it possible to record the actual rental price development.

  • Arbed Smart Center – a hub for networking in the suburbs

    Arbed Smart Center – a hub for networking in the suburbs

    An innovative project that aims to respond to a new way of conceiving spaces, the Arbed Smart Center in Castione will rise in the center of Ticino, on the Milan-Zurich axis, a stone's throw from the train station and motorway junctions as well as 10 minutes from 'drive from Bellinzona.

    The ASC is a futuristic project because it combines technological innovation with the offer of living and working. The project is specifically aimed at business travel and is made by entrepreneurs and professionals such as engineers, researchers or doctors, who travel to Ticino to expand their knowledge or start new projects.

    Three blocks for working and living
    The ASC consists of 2 main blocks whose construction is underway on an area of 10'000 square meters. A work space with technologically equipped modular meeting rooms and a smart living area, with about 70 units and green areas in which to organize events, conferences, business meetings, etc.
    The third block will be used for a hotel offer: about seventy rooms, including 34 suites, for a total of 80 beds.

    The Center is accessible to everyone, even those who do not stay inside, and wants to be a connector between tourists and local authorities.

    Technological innovation
    The guest of the Center is supported in all phases of their stay by a "customer centric" application with which they can book the restaurant, the Spa and the various services, obtain information in real time on all the activities to be carried out in the area and throughout Ticino.

    Furthermore, through the App, you can easily carry out the check-in and check-out phases. In the suites, on the other hand, home automation, combined with the high-speed wi-fi connection, allows you to connect simply and immediately to all the devices in the room such as Smart TVs and appliances.