immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Asset Management

  • Data-driven decisions for green real estate strategies

    Data-driven decisions for green real estate strategies

    Empiraintends to utilise Zurich-basedOptimI’s Real Estate Decision Intelligence (REDI) to strengthen data-driven decision-making in the areas of investment, funds, asset management and sustainability management. According to a statement, the aim is to develop an integrated approach that holistically combines financial performance, climate impact and regulatory requirements. OptimI’s REDI platform supports Empira in making informed investment decisions, developing scientifically sound decarbonisation pathways at fund and asset level, and planning capital-efficient investment and refurbishment strategies.

    Empira uses the platform in particular in the context of its Transition to Green Fund, which targets energy-inefficient properties with repositioning potential and utilises government incentives for green refurbishments and comprehensive asset management to create high-quality, sustainable residential and office properties.

    “Digital decision intelligence is essential today to achieve both stable returns and credible decarbonisation, starting from the moment we receive an initial investment memorandum,” said Torsten Bergmann, Vice President of Investment Advisory at Empira. “Optiml provides us with the analytical depth we need to achieve consistent, scalable impact across all our funds and supports our transition-to-green strategy with reliable decision-making processes.”

    According to the announcement, the introduction of the OptimI solution underscores the industry trend toward data-driven asset optimisation, in which sustainability and financial performance are assessed holistically. The real estate sector is responsible for around 40 per cent of total energy-related CO2 emissions worldwide. Industry players are therefore increasingly obliged to present credible and financially robust decarbonisation strategies.

  • Digital management of real estate portfolios

    Digital management of real estate portfolios

    Real estate is very different in terms of use, typology and construction method. What they all have in common is a life cycle with different renewal intervals. In order to balance out the structural ageing process with targeted measures and to plan the portfolio with an eye to the future, up-to-date data on the condition, use and potential of the individual properties is required. The systematic consolidation of this information ensures that both short-term maintenance work and long-term investment projects can be managed in a timely and appropriate manner

    System levels and life cycles as a management tool
    Classification into system levels is helpful for planning adaptations and renovations.

    • The primary system comprises the load-bearing structure
    • The secondary system comprises the building envelope and durable installations
    • Further levels relate to interior fittings, technical equipment and short-lived elements

    If the useful lives of the system levels are defined in stages (e.g. 12, 24, 48, 96 years), coordinated renewal cycles are created almost automatically, from which investment packages can be derived. The overall renewal is particularly relevant. This is a turning point in the middle of the building’s life cycle, when all important components can be thoroughly overhauled and the property can be adapted to new requirements

    Lever for transparency and control
    Digitalization has long been the central driving force for targeted and sustainable property management. Specialized software solutions such as portfolio and asset management platforms enable the efficient collection, evaluation and analysis of large volumes of data. Application examples show that renewal cycles and investment volumes can be easily calculated, simulated and documented. Overall portfolio performance becomes more transparent, management more flexible and decisions are fact-based rather than intuitive

    A particularly effective approach is the visualization of portfolio data in the form of matrices or bubbles. Individual properties are strategically positioned in terms of key valuation figures, while historicizations make long-term development lines visible. This allows weaknesses, opportunities and critical points in time for investments to be identified and addressed in a targeted manner

    Life cycle management and networking
    The integration of a life cycle perspective and digital tools is becoming the standard for sustainable portfolio management. Early analyses and forecast-based investment planning create added value for owners, users and management bodies. Technology, such as cloud solutions or AI-supported analytics, increases the scalability and efficiency of management, facilitates the interaction between demand and supply and creates a reliable basis for sustainability and ESG reporting

    These approaches are essential for owners of public real estate portfolios, as the focus is on long-term usage strategies and maintenance management. The overall refurbishment of a building becomes a strategic decision point for further development, conversion or sale. Successful portfolio management means that all relevant data is consolidated and continuously reflected in the dialog between stakeholders – supported by digital tools that actively drive change in the real estate sector.

  • Property company increases profit and expands in asset management

    Property company increases profit and expands in asset management

    Swiss Prime Site is reporting a consolidated operating profit at EBITDA level of CHF 415.1 million for the 2024 financial year. This corresponds to year-on-year growth of 6.5 per cent, the Zug-based real estate company reported in a press release. At the same time, cash earnings per share rose by 4.2 per cent to CHF 4.22.

    Rental growth and the property portfolio as well as higher income in asset management contributed to the positive developments. Rental income increased by 5.7 per cent year-on-year to CHF 463.5 million. In Asset Management, the operating result at EBITDA level increased by 47 per cent to CHF 42.0 million. The acquisition of the Fundamenta Group’s property asset manager in April was the main contributor to this. Consolidated operating expenses fell year-on-year from CHF 269.4 million to CHF 257.0 million.

    The value of Swiss Prime Site’s property portfolio amounted to CHF 13.1 billion at the end of 2024. The company recorded positive revaluations of CHF 113.7 million. In the reporting period, 23 properties with a total market value of CHF 345 million were sold.

    “In the past financial year, the focus was on implementing our strategy of consistently focussing on our core competence of real estate,” said Swiss Prime Site CEO René Zahnd in the press release. “With the acquisition of the Fundamenta Group, we have become by far the largest independent property asset manager in Switzerland and cover focused strategies in both the commercial and residential segments with our investment vehicles.”

  • New Head of Property Development at Swiss Life: Fabian Linke

    New Head of Property Development at Swiss Life: Fabian Linke

    Fabian Linke is moving from Swiss Prime Site Solutions to Swiss Life Asset Managers, where he has worked as Head of Business Development since 2021. Previously, he worked as an expert for property investment products and business development at Global Real Estate at Credit Suisse Asset Management from 2006 to 2015 and from 2018 to 2021. He began his career at Credit Suisse Asset Management in Institutional Sales Switzerland. He holds a degree in Banking and Finance from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and a Master’s degree in Real Estate from the University of Zurich. He is also a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

    “I am delighted that in Fabian Linke we have been able to recruit a proven and experienced expert to expand our property activities for the third-party investment business in Switzerland. With his profound expertise in property, finance and markets, he will develop convincing investment solutions for our customers”, says Paolo Di Stefano.

    Swiss Life is one of the largest property owners in Switzerland. Assets under management totalled CHF 43.7 billion as at 31 December 2023, of which CHF 12 billion was for third-party clients in Switzerland.

    Fabian Linke reports directly to Paolo Di Stefano, Head Real Estate Switzerland, and will be based in Zurich.

  • Portfolio value of the HSC Fund slightly higher than in the previous year

    Portfolio value of the HSC Fund slightly higher than in the previous year

    The acquisitions from the previous year contributed to earnings for the whole year for the first time. This led to an 8.2% increase in rental income from CHF 38.8 million to CHF 42.0 million. The market value of the real estate portfolio increased by 0.8% to CHF 750 million at the end of the previous year. This increase in market value was mainly achieved through letting successes and dedicated asset management. Due to various acquisitions in the 2020 financial year and the associated one-off increases in value, last year’s investment return was 6.9%. Since there were no acquisitions in 2021, correspondingly fewer revaluations were achieved with slightly higher net returns, resulting in an investment return of 5.4% in 2021.

    As of December 31, 2021, the fund comprised 35 properties with a total rentable area of over 300,000m2. Further information on the HSC Fund can be found in the factsheet as of December 31, 2021. The annual report will be published on March 15, 2022.