Andermatt Swiss Alps AG intends to invest on the Graubünden side of the Oberalp Pass for the first time: in a unique location at the end of the valley in Sedrun/Dieni, 13 buildings with 410 hotel rooms are to be built on the site of today’s car park opposite the Dieni valley station of the Andermatt-Sedrun SkiArena by 2027 develop. Of these, 204 hostel and 206 double and triple rooms are planned. 119 additional residential units are for sale and are managed for tourism. The units vary in size from the studio to the 5.5 room apartment. Resort Dieni Development AG, which is owned by Andermatt Swiss Alps AG (ASA), has submitted a planning application for this.
"The Dieni resort is a pioneering project that sets new standards in the region and in the canton of Graubünden," says Raphael Krucker, CEO of Andermatt Swiss Alps AG. A total of 1,800 beds are planned – as well as 478 parking spaces, 150 of which are available for guests of the SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun. The resort also includes three restaurants, two bars, various retail areas and leisure facilities such as spa, bowling, bouldering, cinema, fitness and gaming. "Andermatt Swiss Alps AG is investing CHF 170 million in this," continues Raphael Krucker. The number of hotel beds in Surselva has increased by over 20 percent.
With the Resort Dieni, the tourist offer in Sedrun is supplemented in the direction of inexpensive apartments and hotel rooms geared towards families/groups. The resort is designed for young families and groups. With ski-in/ski-out and the alpine experience on the mountain in Dieni/Sedrun, a new tourist center is being created in the canton of Graubünden. Mayor Martin Cavegn: “This major project is a milestone for the community of Tujetsch and the whole of Surselva. In order to be able to keep up with the competition, new hotels and managed holiday apartments are needed.»
The new part of the village will be embedded in a spacious landscape with a view down the valley and into the mountains. The location directly on the year-round train connection Chur-Andermatt and the most modern and largest ski area in the Gotthard area as well as the year-round accessibility by road make the location unique. In addition, the municipality is creating a bus connection between Sedrun and Dieni.
For the Dieni resort, the aim is to build and operate as sustainably as possible. This includes the choice of sustainable materials, but also state-of-the-art operation. The resort is CO 2 neutrally heated by a wood pellet heater; 50 percent of the roof area will be equipped with 1,500 m2 of photovoltaics. The developer is Resort Dieni Development AG (RDD) owned by Andermatt Swiss Alps AG (ASA), and the operator is also ASA or its partner company from the Orascom Group, Orascom Hotel Management. A third party as a joint venture partner is conceivable.
Andermatt Swiss Alps AG will invest around CHF 350 million in its core business of real estate and tourism infrastructure over the next few years in order to implement the vision of "The Prime Alpine Destination". In addition, 149 million Swiss francs will be spent from the partnership with Vail Resorts, Inc. With their many years of experience in developing ski areas, the guest experience on the mountain is improved with new lifts, additional snowmaking and new restaurants.
At the Dieni valley station of the SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun, a new tourist village is to be built by 2027. According to a press release , Andermatt Swiss Alps (ASA) intends to invest CHF 170 million in this area of the municipality of Tujetsch. This is the first time the company is planning a project on the Grisons side of the Andermatt-Sedrun winter sports area.
The planned resort will include 13 sustainably constructed buildings with 410 hotel rooms of different categories. 119 additional residential units are for sale and are managed for tourism. A total of 1,800 beds are planned, as well as three restaurants, two bars, various retail areas and leisure facilities.
The number of hotel beds in Surselva will thus increase by 20 percent. "This major project is a milestone for the municipality of Tujetsch and the whole of Surselva," said Mayor Martin Cavegn. There will be an information evening for the public on August 19th.
With the Dieni resort, the tourist offer will be "supplemented in the direction of inexpensive apartments and hotel rooms geared towards families/groups", according to ASA. The client is Resort Dieni Development AG. It is a 100% subsidiary of Andermatt Swiss Alps. The company acts as operator with its partner company Orascom Hotels Management . The latter has offices in Altdorf UR and Cairo and belongs to the Egyptian Orascom group .
The CHF 149 million investment by Vail Resorts consists of two parts: CHF 110 million for Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG to improve the guest experience, for example in the area of lifts, snow-making systems, gastronomy, leisure activities and other infrastructure on the mountain .
ASA will invest the proceeds of CHF 39 million in the further development of its core business in hotels, infrastructure and the expansion of Andermatt Reuss over the next three to five years, in addition to the CHF 350 million already earmarked. The investments are shared between Andermatt and Sedrun.
Following shareholder and regulatory approval, Vail Resorts now owns 55 percent of the shares in Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG. ASA continues to hold 40 percent of the shares, the remaining 5 percent are in free float. The aim of the partnership between Vail Resorts and ASA is the expansion of Andermatt and Sedrun into the common vision of "The Prime Alpine Destination".
Effective August 4, management of the company will be the responsibility of Vail Resorts. Mike Goar is appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors and Managing Director of Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG. There will be no changes to the ongoing operations of Andermatt-Sedrun, in particular the SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun.
"I'm looking forward to working with the incredible team at Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG, our passionate partners and the committed authorities – and learning from them," says Mike Goar. “I can't wait to move forward with these important investments in the destination as together we are working to make Andermatt-Sedrun one of the leading Alpine destinations in Europe. We are proud of this special
ski area in the Vail Resorts network, and I personally vouch for operational excellence and a good working relationship." Raphael Krucker, CEO of Andermatt Swiss Alps AG and member of the Board of Directors of Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG, says: "Vail Resorts is the ideal partner to achieve our goal. Together we will develop Andermatt and Sedrun into Prime Alpine Destinations. I am really looking forward to a successful cooperation and the additional experience and skills that Vail Resorts will bring to the destination of Andermatt and Sedrun."
The jury of the Architizer A+Awards has awarded the Andermatt concert hall the prize in the category of cultural halls and theaters , Andermatt Swiss Alps AG informs in a press release . “The award for the Andermatt concert hall recognizes the unique transformation of the mountain village of Andermatt into a prime alpine destination,” says Raphael Krucker, CEO of the company responsible for the development, realization and operation of the holiday destination. The Andermatt Concert Hall enriches the year-round destination of Andermatt with a unique cultural program.
Designed by London-based architecture firm Studio Seilern Architects , the building can be used for multiple purposes thanks to a retractable system that allows up to nine tiers of seating to disappear beneath the main balcony. The flexible stage offers space for an orchestra of up to 75 people.
“This victory is an extraordinary honor for us at Studio Seilern Architects,” said project manager Christina Seilern in the statement. “With entries from over 80 countries submitted for the award, I am extremely pleased with the outcome.” Recently named Architect of the Year at World Architecture News’ Female Frontier Awards , the professional hopes “the honor reputation of this project as a world-class concert hall – one that Andermatt deserves”. With the Theater Nouvelle Comédie de Genève , a second Swiss theater has made it into the finalists of the Architizer A+ Awards in the category of cultural halls and theaters.
«During the journey from Göschenen to Andermatt you can see and feel the power of these rough and massive rocks. It’s a sight I’ll never forget,” says Samih Sawiris, Egyptian visionary and investor, on his first trip to Andermatt. During his visit in 2005, he was supposed to support the Uri government as an advisor in making Andermatt more attractive again after the withdrawal of the Swiss army. But he quickly decided to develop a tourism project for Andermatt himself.
High level of construction activity in recent years This first visit to Andermatt is now 17 years ago. Andermatt is now in the middle of developing into a prime alpine destination. In the Andermatt Reuss district of the village, 15 apartment buildings were in operation at the beginning of the year, three under construction and several in the planning stage. In addition to the apartment buildings, there are two hotels: The Chedi Andermatt in the village center opened in 2013 and the Radisson Blu Hotel Reussen in 2018. The Gotthard Residences, apartments with hotel service, are connected to the Radisson Blu Hotel Reussen. In accordance with the sustainability principle of the Andermatt Swiss Alps, Andermatt Reuss is car-free, all houses are built to low-energy standards and the electricity comes from renewable sources.
How it all started The vision for the tourist destination was presented to the population of the Ursern Valley at the end of 2005. In March 2007, the municipality of Andermatt approved with 96% yes votes. As a result, the Swiss army sold a majority of the areas used for military purposes. The Andermatt Reuss part of the village is now being built on this ground. International architectural competitions were announced for the apartment buildings and the design of the master plan.
As a unique project of this scope and because of its national importance, the Federal Council exempted it from the Lex Koller in 2007, which also approved the district design plan.
In addition to real estate and the hotel industry, the tourist offer in the Ursern Valley is also being expanded. At the same time, Andermatt Swiss Alps AG took over the ski area in order to expand and modernize it. Over the course of three years, lifts were renewed or newly created and a continuous network of 120 km of slopes up to Sedrun was realised. Together with Disentis there are even 180 kilometers of pistes.
Year-round destination Andermatt New offers are also being created for the summer months. The Andermatt Swiss Alps Golf Course opened in 2015. This was awarded the globally recognized GEO certification. The 18-hole golf course was awarded Swisstainable Level III, leading by Switzerland Tourism. The cultural offer in Andermatt was supplemented in mid-2019 by the highest concert hall in the Alps. The Andermatt concert hall was designed by Studio Seilern Architects under the direction of Christina Seilern. A further 20,000 m2 of the infrastructure base is currently being created in order to build the next houses and hotels. A total of 42 apartment buildings, 6 four- and five-star hotels and several villas are planned.
Best location directly on the European north-south axis The most direct connection between Europe’s south and north has always been through Uri, but no later than the construction of the legendary Devil’s Bridge in 1230. Since the opening of the Gotthard railway tunnel in 1882, fast transport of people and goods has also been guaranteed by rail. And in 2016, a new work of the century went into operation with the Gotthard base tunnel: since then, Uri has been connected to the south by the longest railway tunnel in the world (57 km).
With the commissioning of the cantonal train station in Altdorf in 2021, the south and north moved even closer to Uri: Lugano can now be easily reached in 50 minutes, Milan in two hours and Zurich in one hour with direct connections.
The central location of the Uri site with advantageous connections at a glance.
Optimal cost environment Uri not only impresses with its advantageous location, but also with an attractive cost environment. On the one hand, the Gotthard canton combines several financial advantages for the benefit of the resident population: the tax burden, health insurance premiums and housing costs are relatively low. The proportion of properties with at least four rooms that can be afforded with a household income of CHF 134,000 is 31 percent on average in Switzerland in 2021. In Uri, this value is 40 to 50 percent. This underlines the attractive real estate prices in Uri. At the same time, the tax deduction options for families are well above the Swiss average. In this way, the people of Uri can freely dispose of around 50 percent of every franc they earn in Uri. In terms of disposable income and the financial attractiveness of living, the canton of Uri is among the clear leaders in Switzerland.
In the same way, companies also benefit from relatively inexpensive land and real estate prices. But Uri also outperforms many cantons in corporate tax competition. Because the Gotthard canton has had a flat rate tax for years – for both natural and legal persons. The low corporate taxes are particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized companies. The profit tax is around 12.6 percent and the capital tax is 0.001 percent (cantonal and municipal taxes in the municipality of Altdorf). Both in the Swiss and in the international comparison, Uri thus occupies an absolute top position!
Fast and reliable realization of business ideas Decision-makers and reliable partners in authorities, business and society can be reached quickly in Uri. After all, a small canton also means short distances. The small size also means tailor-made solutions, so that business ideas can be implemented pragmatically. In addition, Uri can boast of committed and effective employees who are characterized by loyalty and a high degree of identification with the employer.
Uniquely simple combination of work and leisure Kayaking before starting work? Cross-country skiing during the lunch break? Short hike in the evening with the family? Embedded in an attractive mountain and lake landscape, the canton of Uri with its local recreation areas makes this unique combination of work and leisure possible. In Uri there is energy and quality of life – discover this added value at work, after work and on days off.
Good things are so close: a unique combination of free time and work in the canton of Uri. (Image: Angel Sanchez)
Numerous investments in a small space A lot is currently being built in the canton of Uri. Hardly any other place invests so much in such a small space. This results in significant impulses that contribute to the noticeable spirit of optimism in the canton of Uri. The development of the Uri housing market is exemplary for this. In the last 10 years it has grown by almost 3,000 new apartments – that means a remarkable increase of 16 percent.
The resident population of Uri, which has stagnated in recent decades, has also been growing significantly again for several years. All of this underscores the attractive framework conditions, but is also thanks to the well-known investments in the Uri location.
Promotion to the tourist champions league Tourism development in Andermatt in particular has contributed to this growth. Due to the partial withdrawal of the military, the mountain community was faced with major challenges. Egyptian investor Samih Sawiris brought the turning point. Since 2009 he has invested more than CHF 1.3 billion together with fellow investors, thereby catapulting Andermatt into the tourism champions league. CHF 130 million went into the modernization and expansion of the winter and summer sports facilities. Further investments were made in an ecologically operated 18-hole golf course and in a multifunctional concert hall for brilliant music experiences as well as conferences and exhibitions. With Andermatt Reuss, a completely new part of the village was created with hotels, apartment buildings, restaurants and businesses and its own village square, the Piazza Gottardo.
With more than 1000 employees, Andermatt Swiss Alps AG, which operates the tourist resort, is now the largest employer in Uri. Andermatt is an up-and-coming and attractive tourist destination. Further investments are already planned: on the one hand, the new village part of Andermatt Reuss will be expanded in stages by another 18,000 m2. On the other hand, Vail Ski Resorts will take over the majority of the mountain railway infrastructure in Andermatt and plans further investments of over CHF 100 million.
Newly created part of the Andermatt Reuss village with a view of the «Piazza Gottardo». (Image: Andermatt Swiss Alps)
More mobility and attractiveness in the Uri valley floor Despite the impressive development in the mountain village of Andermatt and its importance for Uri as a business location: around 80 percent of the population of Uri live in the valley floor, where most of the service, industrial and commercial companies are concentrated. This area has undergone substantial changes in recent years. With the development focus of the Urner valley floor around the cantonal train station in Altdorf, Uri is tackling a project for generations: Here, sustainable uses are created in the overall regional interest and the corresponding economic, settlement and transport infrastructures are carefully coordinated.
An important milestone was reached in December 2021 with the commissioning of the new cantonal railway station in Altdorf. Intercity trains now stop in Altdorf, which connects the station to the Gotthard base line. The regional and national bus concept is also geared towards the new hub. Impetus for economic and settlement projects should arise from better accessibility. The first effects are already visible: in the immediate vicinity of the train station, modern residential developments have already been realized with “Vena” and “Cubo”. Others, such as the “Strickermatt” development in the immediate vicinity of the cantonal railway station, are in the works. The Cantonal Bank of Uri is also actively involved in the development of the new Uri transport hub. With its newly erected service building at Bahnhofplatz 1, it is committed to the overall economic development of the canton and the bank itself. State-of-the-art office space has been created there in a prime location. The UKB itself claims a third as its new headquarters, and a further 3100 m2 are rented out. Exciting new companies from Germany and abroad have already settled here.
Werkmatt Uri – space for business ideas The Werkmatt Uri in Altdorf is the central piece of the puzzle for the focus of development. It is the largest contiguous land reserve in Uri. The canton of Uri, as the owner, invested millions in the area between the new canton train station and the future half-junction to the motorway. On around 120,000 m2, the area offers business opportunities for future-oriented industrial, commercial and service companies. More than 1,000 jobs are to be created on the site in the future. The aim is to develop the area in a coordinated manner so that sustainable economic uses can arise. The public sector as the provider is striving for a win-win situation with investors and the future owners and users of the area.
What the Werkmatt could look like in the future, including the Autobahn half connection.
Further promising developments are pending The canton of Uri has already implemented various generation projects, as described above. Other important development projects are pending. A new traffic hub in Göschenen is being planned. In addition to the station for trains and buses and a multi-storey car park, a cable car connection from Göschenen station to the Andermatt ski area is being planned.
In addition, there is the west-east bypass in the Urner valley floor, which will relieve the settlement areas of road traffic and thus upgrade them. In Altdorf, a new half-junction to the motorway is being built, which will open up the Urner valley floor even better. The federal government is already working on the construction of the second Gotthard road tunnel. Finally, new bike paths are being created, which should make Uri even more attractive for non-motorised traffic. In addition, investments in education and research are becoming even more important. The first approaches are already there: on the one hand with the Institute for Alpine Cultures, which is dedicated to the special features of the Alpine region – from prehistoric evidence to specific traditions to the challenges of the present. On the other hand with the Logistikum Schweiz in Altdorf, a research and innovation center for logistics and supply chain management.
Promotion of the Uri location – your effective partner Many exciting developments are underway in the canton of Uri. Location promotion is working on using this momentum in an economically sustainable manner and converting it into jobs and added value for the entire canton. How does the Uri location promotion work?
On the one hand, we make the advantages of the Gotthard canton and the exciting developments visible. Location communication and marketing takes place via the web, print, trade fair appearances and via the personal network. In particular, membership in the Greater Zurich Area is intended to ensure that the Uri location and its advantages are even better perceived. Those interested in settling, as well as existing companies and start-ups, are supported by the location promotion in consultations or during site visits or the search for building land. It is also the information and contact point of the administration for the economy of Uri. In addition, she establishes contact with the key people in business, education, innovation promotion and authorities.
Wide range of tools The Uri location promotion can fall back on a wide range of instruments to support companies. They are custom-defined for each individual case. Innovative start-ups, for example, benefit from this in the form of start-up aid. Another option is to support cross-company initiatives with the New Regional Policy (NRP), a funding instrument for rural and mountain areas. As a start-up aid or pioneer, she can help entrepreneurial initiatives to achieve a breakthrough.
With the Uri location promotion, you can count on quick, competent and binding reactions to your concerns.
Welcome to the living and business location Uri. Grab the bull by the horns with us!
The environmental monitoring in Andermatt Reuss has announced a positive result, according to a media release by Andermatt Swiss Alps AG . The intensified construction activities would have fulfilled the environmental requirements, it is said. At the start of construction of Andermatt Reuss, Andermatt Swiss Alps AG commissioned the engineering office Hodel Umweltberatung , based in Schaffhausen, to monitor and document the environmental impact.
As part of the environmental monitoring for 2021, the review extended not only to the operation of the Andermatt Swiss Alps Golf Course and the upcoming revitalization of the Dürstelenbach, but also to the construction measures for a podium extension and the construction of apartment buildings. The increase in construction activities has increased the number of inspections, but has not changed the result of a low burden on the environment, according to the statement.
The categories of immission control and measurements, water protection, nature conservation, butterfly monitoring and soil protection were examined in accordance with cantonal specifications.
From an ecological point of view, there is a positive finding for the operation of the Andermatt Swiss Alps Golf Course, which can be attributed to the protection and the practiced care of the nature conservation areas on the golf course.
Vail Resorts’ investment of CHF 149 million consists of two parts. On the one hand from an investment of CHF 110 million in Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG to improve the guest experience on the mountain. On the other hand, from an amount of CHF 39 million, which is paid to ASA and fully reinvested in real estate development. ASA invests in the further development of the core business in Andermatt and Sedrun, ie in real estate, hotels and infrastructure as well as the expansion of Andermatt Reuss. The CHF 110 million will be invested via Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG in lift systems, snowmaking systems, gastronomy, leisure activities and infrastructure in the SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun.
Andermatt Swiss Alps AG has already invested around CHF 1.3 billion in the development of Andermatt in recent years. This includes around CHF 150 million that was invested via Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG to expand and modernize the SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun. Vail Resorts’ investments in Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG will significantly accelerate the expansion of the SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun and the destination as a whole. The partnership between Vail Resorts and ASA is based on a shared vision to build and expand a premier alpine destination and ski area.
“As a partner, Vail Resorts is an ideal match for our goal of developing Andermatt into a prime alpine destination,” says Samih Sawiris, majority owner and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Andermatt Swiss Alps AG. “With its high level of expertise in the successful operation of integrated destinations, its impressive marketing capacities and the fresh capital, Vail Resorts will provide a strong boost for the further development of Andermatt-Sedrun.”
Omar El Hamamsy, CEO of Orascom Development Holding AG (ODH), ASA’s second major shareholder, adds: “It’s great to have Vail Resorts as a partner in our group of 14 destinations.” ODH has a long and successful history of developing luxury destinations in Europe and the Middle East, which in combination with Vail Resorts’ partnership and investments will further strengthen the Andermatt-Sedrun destination.
“Entering the European market is a long-term strategic priority for Vail Resorts. We are extremely excited to partner with ASA and invest our capital and resources to support the transformation of Andermatt-Sedrun into a premier destination,” said Kirsten Lynch, CEO of Vail Resorts. “We want to rely heavily on and learn from our partners, the community and the Andermatt-Sedrun team while gaining experience and getting to know the area, its guests and operations. We are proud to add this unique Swiss destination to our network of world-class resorts and to incorporate it into the Epic Pass, expanding access for our existing pass holders and seeking to create an even more diverse offering for skiers in Europe.”
The companies’ partnership goes beyond a shared commitment to enhancing the guest experience. Both Vail Resorts and ASA place safety, sustainability and contributing to the success of local communities first. In particular, both companies have individual obligations to protect and preserve nature. Vail Resorts is doing this with the Commitment to Zero initiative (net zero carbon footprint and zero waste at all 40 resorts by 2030). Through the Andermatt Responsible campaign, the ASA is committed to sustainable and climate-friendly tourism in the Andermatt region, with the aim of being CO2-neutral in operation by 2030.
A representative from Vail Resorts will take over the presidency of the board of directors of Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG, the ASA will provide the vice-president. Topics such as future organization and others will be decided over the next few months. The winter operation that has already started will continue as planned. There are no changes for employees.
The negotiating team was led by Naguib S. Sawiris, member of the ASA Board of Directors and designated Chairman of the Board of Directors of Orascom Development Holding AG. The transaction is expected to close before the 2022/23 ski season. Vail Resorts plans to include Andermatt-Sedrun in the 2022/23 Epic Pass and Epic Day Pass with access to all resorts, subject to the timing of transaction completion.
Andermatt Swiss Alps AG continues to see high demand for holiday apartments in the new Andermatt Reuss part of the village. The Andermatt-based company has completed a total of 420 units since construction began in 2007. 408 of them have been sold, 100 of them in the current year alone, according to a press release . That is another increase in sales of more than a third compared to 2020.
In the coming months, the company will hand over 130 new apartments around Piazza Gottardo to the owners. The place is on an infrastructure base called a podium. This is to be expanded to 20,000 square meters in order to be able to build more houses.
“This is one of the largest construction projects in the Alps and enables us to expand the Andermatt Reuss part of the village by a further 16 apartment buildings and two shopping streets with retail and gastronomy offers,” CEO Raphael Krucker is quoted as saying in the media release.
Two houses will go on sale this winter. Haus Elva will accommodate eleven apartments, each with up to four bedrooms. 18 apartments with one and two bedrooms are being built in Haus Mira.
Andermatt Swiss Alps AG plans, builds and develops the year-round destination Andermatt in the Alps. At the end of the day, the project should encompass a total of 2000 residential units with up to 10,000 beds in apartment buildings, hotels and chalets.
Andermatt Swiss Alps AG notes a sustained high demand for residential property in the mountains. The company plans, builds and develops the year-round destination Andermatt. The new district of Andermatt Reuss will be built according to a master plan by 30 international architectural offices, it says on their website.
Six apartment houses are currently under construction, according to Andermatt Swiss Alps AG in a media release. 36 of the 46 apartments are already reserved. After the snow melts, the construction of two more houses will begin. In the past few months, several houses around the Piazza Gottardo have grown in height. Some of them were already sold out in the shell construction phase or only had a few apartments left.
In the coming months, the infrastructure base, known as the podium, on which the new buildings are located, will be expanded further. The next expansion will cover around 19,000 square meters and offer space for 16 houses. In addition, it is planned to start preparatory work for the third hotel in the summer.
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