immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Darlehen

  • Parliament approves new IOM headquarters in Geneva

    Parliament approves new IOM headquarters in Geneva

    On 14 June 2025, the National Council approved an interest-free federal loan for the renovation of the headquarters of the International Organization for Migration by 166 votes to 2. The decision followed a yes vote by the Council of States in March. The IOM, as part of the UN system, plays a leading role in global migration policy. The current site in Geneva’s Morillons district dates back to the early 1980s and does not meet energy, functional or security standards.

    Investment of strategic importance
    Parliament’s approval came despite the fact that the IOM recently announced that it would be cutting around 20 percent of the approximately 1,000 jobs in Geneva. The background to this is a freeze on aid from the USA, one of the organization’s main donors. However, Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis emphasized in the Council that the construction project was sensibly dimensioned, even with a reduced workforce of around 600 employees in future. With this commitment, Switzerland is pursuing a clear host state policy strategy to strengthen International Geneva in the long term.

    Financing structure and timetable
    The loan of CHF 44.7 million granted by the federal government is interest-free and is to be repaid within 50 years. The funds will flow to the FIPOI (Real Estate Foundation for International Organizations), which is responsible for the project. The Canton of Geneva is contributing an additional CHF 21.6 million. This means that the federal government and the canton are covering around two thirds of the total costs. Parliament had already supported a preliminary project in 2022 with CHF 5.7 million for planning work. Construction is scheduled to start in January 2026 and the building is expected to be occupied in 2029.

    Geneva as a strategic location for international organizations
    The Confederation’s support is to be seen as part of the overarching host state policy. Geneva is currently home to more than 40 international organizations and is considered one of the most important multilateral locations worldwide. Switzerland aims to further consolidate this role. Not least in an increasingly competitive environment for international headquarters. Modernizing the infrastructure is a key means of retaining organizations such as the IOM in Geneva in the long term.

    Signal of continuity despite uncertainties
    By clearly approving the construction of the new IOM headquarters, Switzerland is once again acknowledging its role as a host state for international organizations. Despite geopolitical uncertainties and internal cutbacks at the IOM, the project sends a strong signal of Switzerland’s attractiveness as a location and its reliability. An aspect that is equally important for specialists and managers in diplomacy, international organizations and the construction industry.

  • Lucerne City Council applies for loans and credits for ewl site

    Lucerne City Council applies for loans and credits for ewl site

    The city council is requesting a municipal loan of CHF 50 million for the conversion of the ewl site in Lucerne. In addition, it requires special loans of almost 83 million francs for the so-called Rotpol project, according to a press release from the city of Lucerne.

    The plans include 90 non-profit flats and 60 flats suitable for the elderly, as well as the construction of a new fire station for the professional and militia fire brigade, including a location for the civil defence organisation ZSOpilatus and a base for the rescue service of the Lucerne Cantonal Hospital. In addition, there will be a new building for the ewl building and new office space for several municipal departments. The listed Red House is to become a meeting place for the public.

    Since the planned mix of uses is tailored to public needs, ewl Areal AG ‘s business plan shows a total return of only 2.6 per cent. “The low return is basically justifiable due to the extensive uses for public purposes,” says the media release. However, the equity ratio is also at a low level. Therefore, the city council is requesting a municipal loan of CHF 50 million.

    For a capital increase of ewl Areal AG from CHF 6 million by CHF 39 million to CHF 45 million, the city council is also requesting a special loan of CHF 7.8 million. Furthermore, 25.5 million francs for the tenant fit-out for the municipal uses as well as their rental and ancillary costs amounting to 49.5 million francs over the next ten years.

    The City Council will decide on the special loans on 30 March. Due to the amount, a referendum is also to be held on 18 June.

  • ZKB offers mortgages for non-profit housing developers

    ZKB offers mortgages for non-profit housing developers

    The Zürcher Kantonalbank is offering a new mortgage for housing cooperatives at favorable financing conditions. According to a press release , non-profit property developers benefit from a reduced interest rate of up to 0.5 percent. This applies both to the extension of existing loans and to a new mortgage.

    The basic requirement for the granting of the ZKB WohnPlus mortgage is that the apartment rents from the housing developer are at least 15 percent below the market rents. “We want to use this to maintain and promote non-profit and affordable housing,” Patrick Bühlmann, corporate customer advisor at Zürcher Kantonalbank, is quoted as saying in the press release. Because in the cities, above all Geneva and Zurich, rising rents are leading to a lack of affordable living space.

    In addition, applicants must meet 29 criteria, seven of which are basic criteria. If the applicant meets a further 14 criteria in stage 1, he will receive a maximum interest rate reduction of 0.3 percent. In order to receive the full 0.5 percent, he must meet a total of 21 requirements based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals ( SDG ), the Swiss Sustainable Building Standard ( SNBS ) and the ten guiding principles for non-profit housing in Switzerland.

    If level 1 is initially reached in a construction project, the property developer can prove further criteria later on. In this way, the bank wants to create an incentive “to make further improvements in terms of social performance even during the term”.