immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Entwicklungen

  • Stagnation characterises the construction industry

    Stagnation characterises the construction industry

    From January to September 2024, the construction industry generated nominal sales of CHF 17.5 billion, an increase of 0.6 per cent compared to the previous year. Adjusted for inflation, however, there was a decline of 0.5 per cent. While civil engineering increased by 2.6 per cent in real terms, building construction recorded a decline of 3.4 per cent.

    Declining incoming orders
    Incoming orders fell by 2.5 per cent in real terms to CHF 17.3 billion. In building construction in particular, rising interest rates, higher construction costs and a shortage of public funds led to a noticeable decline. Only civil engineering was able to achieve an increase in orders in both the public and private sectors.

    Falling order backlog
    The order backlog in the main construction sector shrank by 3.7 per cent to CHF 14.9 billion by the end of September 2024. This corresponds to an order backlog of around 7.7 months. The entire industry is facing a gloomy outlook: While civil engineering is expected to remain stable, residential construction is not expected to grow again until the third quarter of 2025.

    Noticeable decline in employment
    The uncertainties are having an impact on employment. The number of full-time positions in the sector fell by 4.0 per cent to 89,000 employees. Despite the Swiss National Bank’s key interest rate cut from 1.75 to 1.0 per cent in 2024, the effect will be delayed.

    Construction activity in Switzerland is stable, but characterised by stagnation and challenges. Developments in residential construction in particular will be decisive in providing the urgently needed impetus for renewed growth.

  • Reaction of the Swiss interest rate markets to global and local inflation trends

    Reaction of the Swiss interest rate markets to global and local inflation trends

    In April of this year, the inflation rate in Switzerland surprisingly rose from 1.04% to 1.37%. This increase, which is reflected in almost all sub-indices, nevertheless remains below the critical level of 2.00%. This development indicates that inflation remains manageable and does not require any drastic measures. The Swiss National Bank had already expected a moderate rise in inflation and now appears to have been confirmed that this rise will not be permanent.

    Influence of global interest rate policy on Switzerland
    The latest US inflation data has brought calm not only to international markets, but also to the Swiss interest rate markets. The positive reaction to the US data has lowered interest rate swap rates in Switzerland and indicates that a rate cut in June is almost certain. The SNB’s monetary policy decisions depend heavily on how the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Federal Reserve (Fed) adjust their interest rates. Current developments show a synchronisation of interest rate policy at a global level, which influences the Swiss franc and inflation forecasts.

    Future expectations and monetary policy forecasts
    The SNB remains committed to the possibility of lowering the key interest rate by 25 basis points, with a potential further reduction by the end of the year, depending on the actions of the ECB and the Fed. These adjustments are essential to stabilise the Swiss franc in the context of global currency dynamics and prevent excessive appreciation, which could weigh on the export economy. Despite the current inflation expectations and the weaker position of the franc, the SNB remains proactive and adaptable in its monetary policy strategy.

  • Leica Geosystems becomes tech partner in the RICS network

    Leica Geosystems becomes tech partner in the RICS network

    The Heerbrugg-based company Leica Geosystems is a new partner of the London-based and globally active Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors(RICS). The professional organisation promotes innovation in surveying and facilitates collaboration between professionals in the industry. The RICS Tech Partner programme brings together more than 130,000 members from over 140 countries. They are active in the development and management of land, property, infrastructure and construction. Leica Geosystems makes its geospatial technology available to them as a technology partner.

    According to a Leica Geosystems statement, the technology partners contribute their expertise, technologies and insights to ensure that RICS members keep pace with the latest developments. The programme includes the development and promotion of standards and best practice in surveying. It extends to events, seminars and networking opportunities. According to RICS, the resulting data and insights are used to guide policy makers and governments.

    “As a newly appointed partner, we are proud to support initiatives like this that advance the industry with knowledge, tools and solutions that meet the needs of RICS professionals,” the press release states. “This will enable them to improve their skills and increase overall efficiency.”

  • Face to face: Construction industry in Switzerland

    Face to face: Construction industry in Switzerland

    Swissbau will take place from 16 to 19 January 2024 in the halls of Messe Basel, which will offer 85,000 square metres of exhibition space this year. In contrast to the special edition in 2022, which was restricted due to the pandemic, the 2024 trade fair will be presented in its entirety. With comprehensive subject areas such as shell construction, building envelopes, building technology and interior fittings, the extensive expertise of the Swiss planning, construction and property industry will be brought together in one place.

    The trade fair offers a unique platform for personal dialogue and experiencing products and solutions. Events such as Swissbau Focus, Swissbau Lab, Trendworld Bathroom and Swissbau Inside take centre stage and enable participants to obtain information efficiently and holistically. Swissbau 2024 emphasises the importance of personal exchange, with Rudolf Pfander, Brand Director Swissbau, highlighting the trade fair as a central location for gathering knowledge and exchanging ideas.

    The Swissbau City concept divides the trade fair into various neighbourhoods and central marketplaces that focus on the main thematic areas. The Bathroom Trend World, an integral part of the trade fair, presents the latest products and designs for bathrooms in Hall 2.2. Swissbau Inside provides a platform for interior design products, while the special show “Handwerk live” in Hall 1.0 offers insights into the everyday work of craftsmen and women.

    In addition, the Security Congress, which focuses on security endeavours in the professional environment, will take place in the Congress Center Basel at the same time as the trade fair. Overall, Swissbau 2024 promises to be a holistic trade fair experience and a central platform for professionals from the construction and real estate sectors to jointly tackle the current challenges facing the industry, such as the circular economy, digitalisation and climate change.

  • Fixed-rate mortgages overtake the former favourites

    Fixed-rate mortgages overtake the former favourites

    In Switzerland, there was a veritable run on variable Saron mortgages after the interest rate turnaround. However, the former favourites no longer seem as attractive as before.

    Interest rates for Swiss fixed-rate mortgages have been on a downward trajectory since mid-June 2023. According to the mortgage index of the Swiss online comparison service Moneyland, ten-year fixed-rate mortgages are currently quoted at 2.31 per cent – the lowest level since May 2022.

    The downward trend intensified after the Swiss National Bank (SNB) surprisingly announced a pause in interest rates in September. As a result, fixed-rate mortgages are no longer more expensive than variable-rate Saron mortgages, which previously accounted for a large proportion of new business, for the first time since October last year.

    Today, fixed-rate mortgages are significantly cheaper than Saron mortgages for all maturities. Two-year fixed-rate mortgages are currently 0.35 percentage points, five-year mortgages 0.42 percentage points and ten-year mortgages 0.30 percentage points cheaper than their variable-rate counterparts.

    Experts agree that interest rates in Switzerland appear to have peaked. The majority of market observers assume that the SNB will leave key interest rates unchanged at the next meeting and in the first quarter of 2024 and could only announce interest rate cuts in mid-2024.

    The property specialists at Moneypark also reported that over 90 per cent of mortgage providers surveyed in Switzerland expect the SNB to leave the key interest rate unchanged at 1.75 per cent at its next meeting. Over the next three months, interest rates are likely to remain stable for shorter terms of up to five years, while longer terms are expected to see more volatility and a trend towards lower interest rates.

  • Thun’s step into the vibrant future

    Thun’s step into the vibrant future

    The area along the picturesque River Aare, which stretches between the bustling city centre and Lerchenfeld, holds a vibrant future for the city of Thun. The Tryber development will create a new, mixed-use and sustainable district that promises a wide range of possible uses. The special feature here is the deliberate retention of local qualities such as existing jobs, existing buildings and the favourable location, while the new forms of use are being introduced gradually and thoughtfully.

    A lively mix of regional businesses, culture, local recreational opportunities, gastronomy and mixed residential construction is being created in the Tryber. This mix not only revitalises the district itself, but also contributes to the vitalisation of the entire city and creates a new, vibrant sub-centre that enriches Thun as a whole.

    The foundations for this transformation from a pure workplace area to a lively, mixed district were laid in the “STEK 2035 urban development concept”, which identified the Thun-Nord area as one of four premium development priorities. Cantonal planning has given the area top priority. An important step towards planning and development security was taken with the start of work on the revision of the ESP Thun North structure plan. This structure plan forms an essential spatial and urban planning basis for the larger, as yet undeveloped areas of the Tryber Quartier.

    The development is a long-term endeavour that will gradually create an interesting mix of residential, commercial and leisure space on an area of 110,000 m2 . Where ammunition was once manufactured, a space for living, working and relaxing is now being created.

    The central company behind this project, RUAG Real Estate Ltd, is planning to revitalise the area along Uttigenstrasse in the Thun North development focus (ESP) and create a completely new sub-centre. An integral part of this development is the opening up of Uttigenstrasse, which has been reopened to traffic after a long break of 40 years. The planned new “Thun Nord” S-Bahn stop is also an important element in improving access to the site.

    RUAG Real Estate Ltd has a sustainable vision for the development of the Tryber. It is not intended to be an abrupt change, but a gradual transition that makes the most of the existing building fabric and only creates something new where it is absolutely necessary. Innovative concepts such as co-working spaces, pop-up uses and other interim uses are being considered in order to create a “trendy quarter”.

    RUAG Real Estate Ltd’s ambitious revitalisation of the Patronenfabrik visibly marks the start of the guided Tryber development. Around 1,000m2 of light-flooded and freely divisible office and studio space is being created in a stately historic building directly on Uttigenstrasse and in the immediate vicinity of the future S-Bahn station.

    The S-Bahn station in particular will not only position the Tryber as a local link between Thun’s city centre and Lerchenfeld, but will also increase its accessibility and attractiveness beyond the region towards Bern, the Mittelland and even as far as Valais. The coordinated planning between RUAG Real Estate AG and the planning department of the City of Thun ensures that the Tryber project will proceed in harmony with the other planned developments in the Thun North ESP and lays the foundation for a dynamic, well-connected and vibrant community that will take root in Thun in the coming years.

  • digitalSTROM is now present in the Bauarena Volketswil

    digitalSTROM is now present in the Bauarena Volketswil

    DigitalSTROM AG from Schlieren is now also presenting its range of products for the installation of intelligent networking in homes at the Bauarena in Volketswil. According to a media release on Facebook, interested parties can receive individual advice from experts at a so-called Smart Home and experience the latest innovations live. According to its own information, the Bauarena is the largest year-round construction trade fair in Switzerland.

    in a short video on Facebook, digitalSTROM presents a description of how lighting can be controlled and automated via push-button, touchscreen, voice control or with the smartphone app at any time and from anywhere. Lighting, heating and electrical devices can be easily controlled via app. This means: no more getting up to switch the light on or off, no unnecessary electricity costs due to forgotten devices and additional protection for the home thanks to the integrated alarm scenarios, according to digitalSTROM.

    Thanks to the Powerline Communication technology, the networking of devices and home automation takes place via the existing power line, according to a technical description on a special digitalSTROM website. This makes it easy to transform existing and new buildings into smart buildings, so-called smart homes. The solution does not require any structural measures or additional cables, which makes retrofitting easier.