Tag: immobilien

  • Property market remains attractive

    Property market remains attractive

    The Swiss property market remains attractive for 98 per cent of property investors, EY Switzerland reports in a press release. The auditing and consulting firm based its findings on the latest edition of its annual “Real Estate Investment Market Trend Barometer”. For this, EY Switzerland surveyed a representative cross-section of 96 companies.

    “According to investors, the high level of attractiveness can be attributed to the stable economy, persistently high demand and the fact that Switzerland remains a lucrative location despite the geopolitical changes,” Daniel Zaugg, Sector Leader Real Estate at EY in Switzerland, is quoted as saying in the press release. “According to the respondents, the Swiss National Bank’s interest rate hikes will also have no substantial short-term impact on the market value of investment properties.” 96 per cent of those surveyed expect inflation to remain below 3 per cent this year.

    Within the property market, residential property is becoming more attractive. Interest here has risen from 93 per cent in the two previous years to 96 per cent this year. Fewer investors want to invest in office, logistics and healthcare properties than in the previous year, at 39, 42 and 45 per cent respectively. Only 16 per cent of respondents expressed interest in space for food retailers and specialist stores.

    Sustainability criteria are playing an increasingly important role for a large majority of respondents when selecting investment properties. Investors also predict that demographic changes and climate change will have an increasing influence on the property market in the future.

  • Demathieu Bard takes over Steiner Construction SA

    Demathieu Bard takes over Steiner Construction SA

    Steiner AG has sold its subsidiary for total and general contracting in the construction industry to the internationally active French construction and property group Demathieu Bard. The Zurich-based real estate service provider intends to accelerate its focus on property development, Steiner announced in a press release. The purchase price for the subsidiary Steiner Construction SA was not disclosed. The internationally active Steiner Group has been part of the Indian infrastructure group Hindustan Construction Company(HCC) since 2010.

    “The development of Steiner AG into a pure development company is an expression of our enormous success as a leading Swiss property company over the last ten years,” said Arjun Dhawan, Delegate of the Board of Directors and Vice Chairman of HCC, in the press release. “It is also a consequence of the opportunities we see for capital formation and future growth in Switzerland and abroad in order to maximise shareholder value.”

    With the acquisition of Steiner Construction, Demathieu Bard aims to strengthen the Group’s international presence and consolidate its position as a reference company in the construction sector. “With the integration of Steiner Construction SA, Demathieu Bard is making its largest acquisition to date,” explains Stéphane Monceaux, CEO of the Demathieu Bard Group. Steiner intends to invest the capital gained from the sale “in a new and broader network of business opportunities”, according to the press release.

  • Swiss Sustainable Finance offers property investors a guideline

    Swiss Sustainable Finance offers property investors a guideline

    In its SSF Spotlight section,Swiss Sustainable Finance has published a guide for companies, banks, funds and private individuals who invest directly in sustainable real estate in Switzerland. Against the backdrop of the major contribution that the building sector must make to achieving the Swiss net-zero target by 2050, it offers guidance and recommendations for action.

    For example, it explains the most important frameworks for sustainability assessment and reporting, ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and provides specific examples for the property sector. The publication also provides an introduction to the current and planned regulatory framework in Switzerland and the EU. It also provides an overview of national and international certifications, quality seals, benchmarking and monitoring instruments that measure the sustainability profile of property with regard to ESG factors, for example.

    According to the association, the benefits of a sustainable investment strategy could outweigh the costs involved “and ultimately have a positive impact on society, the environment and the valuation of the property portfolio”. A four-step approach is recommended for investors seeking guidance on implementing a sustainability strategy.

    This begins with strategy development and a portfolio assessment. In a second step, an action plan is formulated with specific improvement measures for the property portfolio. This is followed by continuous evaluation based on the predefined targets. Finally, transparency should be created by regularly communicating performance indicators and progress to stakeholders.

  • Dormakaba launches intelligent door system

    Dormakaba launches intelligent door system

    Dormakaba is positioning itself more broadly with an innovation in the areas of energy-efficient buildings and secure operating processes. The global locking technology company from Rümlang has launched an automatic door system called MotionIQ, which, according to a press release, offers building operators a strategic advantage.

    The targeted control of opening, hold-open and closing processes can improve the building’s energy balance and reduce operating costs. In addition, barrier-free access to the building is made easier and the use of automatic doors is made safer.

    The company, which specializes in security technology and access control, takes personal movement vectors into account: people walk through a door at different speeds. Conventional systems remain open for a certain amount of time every time someone enters a building, which results in a lot of energy escaping. MotionIQ calculates the ideal opening time and the individual hold-open time. To do this, a field of up to 10 meters in the door area is covered with a virtual net. When a person enters the measurement area, sensors record the distance, speed and angle and calculate the door movement based on this. By only leaving the door open for a certain amount of time, less energy is consumed and wear and tear is reduced.

    Another advantage of unnecessary openings relates to safety: the door only opens when necessary and closes immediately after passage. This minimizes the risk of accidents and injuries and extends the service life of the drive technology. In addition, the door is perceived less as a barrier.

  • Claudio F. Walde übernimmt die Geschicke des Familienunternehmens

    Claudio F. Walde übernimmt die Geschicke des Familienunternehmens

    Am 1. Januar 2024 übernahm Claudio F. Walde offiziell die Leitung der Walde Immobilien AG, einem Familienunternehmen mit über 70 Mitarbeitenden und neun Geschäftsstellen in Aargau, Zentralschweiz, Zürich und Graubünden. Claudio F. Walde, 31 Jahre alt, arbeitete seit 2020 als Immobilienberater im Unternehmen und leitete seit 2021 den Bereich Anlageimmobilien. Mit einem Abschluss als Master of Science in Management, Technology & Economics (MTEC) der ETH Zürich sowie Erfahrungen als Consultant bei EY Schweiz bringt er eine starke Kombination aus technischem Know-how und Managementkompetenz mit.

    Claudio F. Walde betont seine Freude und Ehre, das von seinen Eltern 1985 gegründete Unternehmen weiterführen zu dürfen. Er plant, das Unternehmen im Sinne der Gründer weiterzuentwickeln, wobei er sowohl geografische als auch technologische Innovationen anstrebt. Dabei legt er besonderen Wert auf ein emotionales und professionelles Gesamterlebnis im Immobilienkauf und -verkauf.

    Die Gründer Marianne und Gerhard E. Walde bleiben dem Unternehmen als Eigentümer und Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrats erhalten. Sie äussern ihre Freude über die Fortführung des Familienunternehmens in der zweiten Generation und betonen ihre anhaltende Leidenschaft für das Zusammenbringen von Menschen und Immobilien.

    Das Managementteam von Walde Immobilien AG wird durch erfahrene Führungskräfte ergänzt. Jann Felber fungiert weiterhin als COO und Mattia Bonasso tritt als neuer CSO auf. Zudem wurden interne Beförderungen vorgenommen, um Schlüsselpositionen neu zu besetzen, wodurch das bewährte Team in seiner Führungsrolle bestärkt wird. Das erweiterte Managementteam wird gemeinsam an strategischen Projekten arbeiten, um das Unternehmen erfolgreich in die Zukunft zu führen.

  • AXA expands property commitment at Newhome

    AXA expands property commitment at Newhome

    AXA has taken an important step towards expanding its portfolio in the residential sector by acquiring a 20 per cent stake in the established property platform Newhome. The company, which is owned by 19 cantonal banks and around 500 companies from the property sector, plans to increase its share capital by issuing new shares. Following this capital increase, which is still subject to FINMA approval, the ownership structure will be reorganised: 50 percent by the cantonal banks, 30 percent by Next Property AG and 20 percent by AXA.

    Dominique Kasper, Head of General Insurance at AXA, sees the investment as a strategic opportunity to strengthen the company’s positioning in the residential sector. Since it was founded in 2012, Newhome has developed into a major property platform in Switzerland. AXA hopes that this investment will not only give it greater access to customers in the home and property sector, but also enable it to serve the insurance needs of the platform’s users more effectively.

    Johannes Hoehener, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Newhome, welcomes the expansion of the shareholder base and sees AXA’s strategic investment as an important step in the implementation of the growth strategy. The partnership with AXA is intended to increase the reach of Newhome and contribute to its positioning as a leading regional property portal.

  • Enerdrape receives fresh capital for geothermal solution

    Enerdrape receives fresh capital for geothermal solution

    Enerdrape announces the successful completion of a seed financing round totalling CHF 1.3 million. The Ecublens-based company has launched the world’s first prefabricated geothermal panel technology. According to a press release, Swiss investors, including Après-Demain via the GeneRActions Planet initiative and Romande Energie, played a key role in the seed round.

    Established by Margaux Peltier, Alessandro Rotta Loria and Lyesse Laloui as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne(EPFL), the company intends to strategically utilise this fresh injection of capital to drive forward the development and commercialisation of its geothermal panel technology. These panels act as heat exchangers. They absorb both geothermal and ambient energy. A heat pump circulates this energy throughout the building. In principle, these wall panels are also suitable for tunnels and underground stations, for example.

    “This financial injection of CHF 1.3 million is proof of our investors’ confidence in enerdrape’s mission and potential. It will allow the company to expand its operations, improve its product range and strengthen its team with new talent,” said Margaux Peltier, CEO and co-founder of enerdrape.

    “With its innovative geothermal panel technology, enerdrape has the potential to revolutionise the energy sector and we congratulate Margaux on her ground-breaking invention,” Thierry Mauvernay, President and shareholder of Apres-demain SA, the leading investor in the seed round, is quoted as saying.

  • Implenia and Empa join forces for CO2-negative building materials

    Implenia and Empa join forces for CO2-negative building materials

    As Empa ‘s realisation partner,Implenia is building the Beyond Zero Unit in Empa’s NEST building in Dübendorf, the construction and real estate company based in the Glattpark district of Opfikon announced in a press release. The new unit will be used for research into CO2-reduced and CO2-neutral building materials. The Beyond Zero Unit will be integrated into the middle level of the NEST research and innovation platform.

    “We are delighted that Implenia is able to enrich the great research and innovation platform NEST with a new unit as a partner,” said Jens Vollmar, Head Division Buildings at Implenia, in the press release. “As a leading Swiss construction and real estate service provider, we are thus jointly providing important insights for the future, CO2-reducing construction and operation of buildings and infrastructure.” Implenia intends to use the knowledge gained from the Beyond Zero Unit for its own developments and planning.

    The new unit in the NEST building is not the company’s first collaboration with the research institute. “Implenia has realised pioneering sustainable buildings on the Empa Campus in Dübendorf, most recently a laboratory and office building and the first car park in hybrid timber construction in Switzerland,” explains Empa Director Tanja Zimmermann. “The fact that Empa and Implenia are also working together in research into innovative building materials with this new partnership and are investigating promising applications over a longer period of time on our NEST platform promotes the direct transfer of sustainable innovation into practice.”

  • EPFL researches new crack detection for concrete

    EPFL researches new crack detection for concrete

    Cracks in reinforced concrete structures are normal and are regularly checked using conventional methods. However, according to a press release, researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne(EPFL) are currently working on methods to digitise these inspections and verify them using an algorithm. Hugo Nick, a Master’s student at the Laboratory for Structural Concrete (IBETON), has developed two methods for this. In the first step, concrete structures are reconstructed in a laboratory and digitally photographed under load until a resulting crack causes the structure to break. The data set is saved and processed into an algorithm using artificial intelligence.

    In the second step, digital images of real buildings are taken. These images of cracks occurring in nature and under load will be compared with the algorithm. The researchers hope that this will enable them to draw conclusions about crack behaviour and predict possible hazardous situations.

    “A detection algorithm then analyses the image with the help of artificial intelligence,” Hugo Nick is quoted as saying in the press release, “The algorithm is actually a neural network that has been trained on thousands of images and can predict crack detection. Inspectors are beginning to test this method in the field, and it has several advantages. By using automatic crack detection systems, we can reduce the number of errors and inaccuracies and make inspections faster and more accurate.”

  • Empa researches the recycling of plastic slats

    Empa researches the recycling of plastic slats

    Carbon fibre reinforced plastic lamellae (CFRP lamellae) are among the building materials that have not yet been reintroduced into the material cycle, Empa explains in a press release. Its researchers from the Mechanical Systems Engineering department want to remedy this situation. A corresponding research project has already found a sponsor in a foundation not named in the press release.

    The process of reinforcing bridges, car parks, building walls and ceilings made of concrete or masonry using CFRP lamellas has already been developed at Empa by its former Dübendorf director Urs Meier, according to the press release. “By significantly extending the service life of buildings and infrastructure structures, CFRP lamellae make an important contribution to increasing sustainability in the construction sector,” Giovanni Terrasi, Head of Empa’s Mechanical Systems Engineering research department, is quoted as saying. “However, we now also need to find a way to continue using the CFRP louvres beyond the service life of these buildings.”

    The first step is to develop a mechanical process that allows the lamellae to be detached from the concrete without causing damage. The researchers then want to process the demolished CFRP into reinforcements for prefabricated components. The first object the group has in mind is reinforcements for railway sleepers made from recycled concrete. This means that the “supposed waste material could play a new role in Swiss infrastructure”, writes Empa.

  • Thierryturm-Gelände: Uni Freiburgs neues Fakultätsgebäude

    Thierryturm-Gelände: Uni Freiburgs neues Fakultätsgebäude

    Nach einer längeren Verzögerung aufgrund von Grundstücksverhandlungen nimmt das Projekt für den Neubau der Rechtswissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität Freiburg auf dem Gelände des Thierryturms wieder Fahrt auf. Der Staatsrat hat beim Großen Rat einen Antrag auf einen zusätzlichen Projektierungskredit in Höhe von 12 Millionen Franken für Studienarbeiten gestellt. Zusätzlich wurde ein Verpflichtungskredit von 3,4 Millionen Franken für den Abbruch bestehender Gebäude auf dem Gelände beantragt.

    Das Projekt, das ursprünglich 2013 gestartet wurde, soll die angespannten Platzverhältnisse der Fakultät lösen und den Standort Miséricorde aufwerten. Der geplante Neubau wird nach den Kriterien des Standards Nachhaltiges Bauen Schweiz (SNBS) konzipiert, inklusive einer Photovoltaik-Anlage auf dem Dach. Die Integration eines Abschnitts der TransAgglo, einem wichtigen Bestandteil des regionalen Fahrradnetzwerks, ist ebenfalls vorgesehen.

    Die nötigen Projektierungsarbeiten werden gemäß der Verordnung über bedeutende Immobilienvorhaben des Staates vorangetrieben. Der geplante Abbruch der bestehenden Gebäude der Stiftung Le Tremplin, die dem Neubau weichen müssen, soll auch bodenkundliche Untersuchungen für eine eventuell notwendige Sanierung ermöglichen.

    Mit einem geplanten Baustart im Frühjahr 2027 und der voraussichtlichen Inbetriebnahme im Herbst 2030 belaufen sich die geschätzten Anlagekosten auf etwa 152 Millionen Franken. Für das Projekt könnte ein Bundesbeitrag für den Bau von Hochschulinfrastrukturen beantragt werden, der im Rahmen des zukünftigen Verpflichtungskreditantrags für die Durchführung des Projekts berücksichtigt wird. Dieses Vorhaben stellt einen bedeutenden Schritt für die Entwicklung der Universitätsinfrastruktur und die Stärkung des Bildungsstandortes Freiburg dar.

  • Dr. Tanja Pohle tritt als neue Partnerin in die Geschäftsleitung von pom+Consulting AG ein

    Dr. Tanja Pohle tritt als neue Partnerin in die Geschäftsleitung von pom+Consulting AG ein

    Die Berufung von Dr. Tanja Pohle in die Geschäftsleitung, repräsentiert einen wichtigen strategischen Schritt. Dr. Pohle, die bereits seit 2013 im Unternehmen tätig ist, hat sich durch ihre Arbeit im Bereich der Organisationsentwicklung und Prozessgestaltung, insbesondere in der Immobilienwirtschaft, einen Namen gemacht.

    Ihre Rolle als Head of Service Unit Organisation & Processes ermöglichte es ihr, signifikante Fortschritte im Bereich der Workplace Solutions zu erzielen. Dies beinhaltete die Einführung neuer Beratungsansätze, die sich an den sich verändernden Bedürfnissen einer modernen Arbeitswelt orientieren. Besonders hervorzuheben ist dabei ihr Engagement für Smart Office- und New-Work-Konzepte, die durch die Corona-Pandemie an Bedeutung gewonnen haben.

    Der akademische Hintergrund, mit einem Diplom in Bauingenieurwesen von der Technischen Universität Berlin, einem Doktorat in Baubetriebswissenschaften von der ETH Zürich und einem MBA im Business Engineering von der Universität St. Gallen, bildet die Grundlage für ihre umfassende Expertise. Ihre Fähigkeiten in der Organisationsentwicklung, verbunden mit ihrem Verständnis für technische und betriebswirtschaftliche Aspekte, haben maßgeblich zur Entwicklung des Unternehmens beigetragen.

    Mit Dr. Pohles Ernennung zur Partnerin soll ihre Expertise und Erfahrung nun auch in strategische Entscheidungen einfließen. Ihre bisherige Laufbahn, die durch vielseitige Kompetenzen und innovative Ansätze gekennzeichnet ist, passt hervorragend zur Unternehmensphilosophie Sie wird in ihrer neuen Rolle in der Geschäftsleitung maßgeblich dazu beitragen, die zukünftige Richtung mit zu gestalten und die Prinzipien des New Work in der Immobilienwirtschaft weiter zu verankern.

  • Prices for single-family homes reach peak

    Prices for single-family homes reach peak

    Both asking rents and flat prices have risen sharply over the past twelve months, SMG Swiss Marketplace Group(SMG) reports in a press release on the latest Swiss Real Estate Offer Index. Specifically, SMG’s experts observed a 2.6 per cent increase in prices for condominiums between the beginning and end of 2023. At the same time, asking rents rose by 4.4 per cent. The SMG Swiss Marketplace Group combines the digital marketplaces of TX Group, Ringier and Mobiliar.

    By contrast, prices for single-family homes in December 2023 were down 0.7 per cent on the previous year. According to the experts at SMG, prices have reached a plateau. The already very high purchase price level and increased interest rates on loans are cited in the press release as the reason for this. In many cases, there is also a high need for investment, for example for energy-efficient refurbishments.

    “Sellers of condominiums are hoping that potential buyers will purchase an affordable condominium unit rather than a single-family home, which means that this form of home ownership remains in high demand,” Martin Waeber, Managing Director Real Estate at SMG, is quoted as saying in the press release. Rents for flats have seen a “massive increase of 8.6 per cent” in the last two years, “after the level of asking rents in Switzerland had been moving sideways for many years”.

  • Kriens electricity suppliers realise heating network

    Kriens electricity suppliers realise heating network

    The two electricity suppliers to the town of Kriens, Energie Wasser Luzern(ewl) and Centralschweizerische Kraftwerke(CKW), are also becoming heating suppliers: according to a press release, the Kriens town council has decided in favour of the Kriens heating network consortium with ewl and CKW following a public tender for the construction and planning of a heating network.

    The heating network will help to supply additional properties in Kriens, namely the Obernau, centre and Kupferhammer-Kehrhof areas, with thermal energy. According to the city council, this is in line with the goals of the city’s climate strategy to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from buildings by 2045.

    According to the information provided, the winning project assures Kriens a high level of territorial coverage and provides for transitional solutions that guarantee the population a high degree of planning security for the changeover in their heat supply. CKW and ewl are planning their project with a broad mix of different renewable energy sources, including regional wood. According to City Councillor Maurus Frey, this will create an attractive offer “so that together we can take a step towards our climate targets”.

    In the upcoming construction work in Hergiswaldstrasse, the renovation work is to be carried out at the same time as the pipeline construction for the heating network, if possible. The city and ARGE intend to announce further details once the legally prescribed deadlines have expired.

  • Avobis sees positive trend in residential yield property for 2024

    Avobis sees positive trend in residential yield property for 2024

    In its Outlook 2024, real estate service provider Avobisanticipatesa favourable trend for residential yield properties. The forecast for 2024 is consistently positive, according to a press release. According to the forecast, the attractiveness of residential investment property is likely to increase again in anticipation of lower interest rates and due to positive fundamental factors, and buyers are likely to show greater interest. This is expected to lead to a revitalisation of liquidity on the transaction market.

    Despite a revitalised market dynamic, general price increases are not foreseeable in the near future. Institutional investors, who have supported the buyer side in recent years, could increasingly act as sellers. This is also due to the increased sustainability requirements. According to Avobis, environmentally conscious reorganisation of portfolios is leading to properties being sold and more sustainable properties being acquired instead.

    This could also be accompanied by a certain degree of volatility. Such market conditions would create opportunities that could be of interest to attentive investors. In the current market environment, residential property reportedly offers a wide range of attractive investment opportunities, from simple buy-to-rent models to construction and promotion through to the realisation of profitable usage concepts.

  • 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.

  • Asking rents continue to rise

    Asking rents continue to rise

    The monthly rental index compiled by the digital property marketplace Homegate in collaboration with Zürcher Kantonalbank closed at 124.2 points in November. Compared to the previous month, the index rose by 0.3 per cent overall, Homegate reported in a press release. A year-on-year increase of 4 per cent was observed across Switzerland.

    In a year-on-year comparison, rents rose in all cantons, Homegate reports. Compared to the previous month, the property marketplace’s experts have observed rising rents in 20 out of 25 cantons. The Appenzell cantons are summarised in the survey. The increases in most cantons were less than 1 per cent. Schwyz and Graubünden stand out with increases of 2.4 and 2.2 per cent respectively. At the other end of the scale is the canton of Uri, where asking rents fell by 1.5 per cent.

    The eight Swiss cities included in the index also all recorded a year-on-year increase in asking rents. At 11.8 per cent, the increase was strongest in the canton of Zurich. In a monthly comparison, the largest increases were observed in St.Gallen and Lausanne at 1.6 and 1.5 per cent respectively. In Bern and Lugano, on the other hand, asking rents were 0.7 and 0.5 per cent lower than in October.

    Homegate is a division of SMG Swiss Marketplace Group AG. This combines the digital marketplaces of TX Group, Ringier and Mobiliar.

  • Walo sells Kern Tunneltechnik to PERI

    Walo sells Kern Tunneltechnik to PERI

    The Dietikon-based construction company Walo Bertschinger has sold its majority stake in Kern Tunneltechnik SA, based in Paradiso, to PERI in Weissenhorn, Bavaria, a company specialising in formwork and scaffolding technology, according to a press release. The Walo Group had been a shareholder of Kern since 2017 and acquired a majority stake in the company in 2021, which is one of the leading providers of high-tech solutions in tunnelling, according to the press release.

    “With the sale of its majority stake to the German family-owned company PERI, one of the largest international manufacturers and suppliers of formwork and scaffolding systems, Walo is opening up new development and growth prospects for the Kern Group,” said Leandro A. Testa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Walo International AG.

    According to the company press release, Walo has also concluded a cooperation agreement with the Kern Group. The company currently has around 80 employees at three locations. Under the current management of CEO Reiner Kern, it will operate as an independent business segment under the name Kern within the PERI Group. “The merger with PERI opens up new perspectives for both companies and allows us to be stronger on the market in the future – worldwide,” Kern is quoted as saying.

    “In recent years, together with its CEO Reiner Kern and his team, we have turned the Kern Group into a disruptive and revolutionary market player,” Chairman of the Board of Directors Testa is quoted as saying. The new combination of the strengths of PERI and the Kern Group makes it an even stronger success partner for Walo. PERI International had a turnover of 1.8 billion euros in 2022 and is active in 65 countries with 9100 employees.

  • tb.glarus connects the largest solar community in Glarus to the grid

    tb.glarus connects the largest solar community in Glarus to the grid

    tb.glarus is also enabling tenants to participate in the expansion of solar energy. As the Glarus-based utility announced, it commissioned the system at the Stampfrüti stable on 23 November. This is the company’s sixth solar community and the largest to date in the canton of Glarus.

    With an area of 707 square metres, the system is expected to generate 128,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. According to tb.glarus, 95 per cent of the 707 solar panels have already been sold. The one-off investment in the Stampfrüti plant offers tb.glarus customers a fixed credit for solar power over 20 years.

    The six solar communities have a total output of 519 kilowatt peak and generate around 490,000 kilowatt hours per year on an area of over 2500 square metres. tb.glarus is looking for further roof areas that are suitable for solar communities.

  • Introduction of BIM in facility management: a paradigm shift

    Introduction of BIM in facility management: a paradigm shift

    In the property sector, where various stakeholders – from owners to facility management – have specific requirements for a property, access to up-to-date and detailed information about the building structure and technical systems is essential. Effective utilisation and linking of this data makes a significant contribution to increasing efficiency. The increasing use of technology in property increases the complexity of the data, which in turn requires sophisticated data management.

    Synchronisation of planning and operation
    BIMtoFM, or BIM2FM, stands for the seamless transition of BIM data from the planning and construction phase to the operational phase of a property. This enables an efficient flow of information and the automation of operational processes, which leads to a significant increase in efficiency and a reduction in costs. The benefits of integrating BIM into FM processes are manifold and include easier access to building-related data, support for preventive maintenance and the minimisation of operating costs and downtime. These aspects are particularly important for strictly regulated areas such as hospitals or critical infrastructures. The introduction of BIM2FM creates the basis for automated administrative processes, solid budget planning and advanced order management in facility management. For property owners, this means access to up-to-date information that supports efficient yield planning and target definition. BIM2FM is thus establishing itself as an indispensable tool in the modern property sector.

  • Sustainability meets quality of life in Spiez

    Sustainability meets quality of life in Spiez

    This development not only meets the needs of singles, couples and families, but also takes into account the requirements of older people through special structural features. In realising the project, the focus is on both the quality of the construction and the use of sustainable materials, without losing sight of a fair price-performance ratio.

    The design of the residential complex is based on modern architectural principles. It consists of five cloverleaf-shaped main buildings and a final building. This configuration forms a central courtyard that is ideal for communal activities. Star-shaped paths provide access to further green and leisure areas. The project accommodates a total of 81 residential units, the majority of which are for rent and 35 units for sale, including four luxury penthouses and two studios.

    Away from the living spaces, the complex offers numerous amenities such as an underground car park with 96 parking spaces, bicycle and technical rooms and studios. But what makes this project stand out is its commitment to renewable energy. At its heart is an ice storage heating system that completely dispenses with fossil fuels. This innovative system utilises an underground water tank as an energy store, from which energy is generated by a heat pump. A solar air absorber optimises this process, making the project a pioneer in sustainable energy concepts.

  • Federal Council draws up new regulation for permissible net yield

    Federal Council draws up new regulation for permissible net yield

    Der Nationalrat hat der Landesregierung am Dienstag den entsprechenden Auftrag erteilt. Dies, indem er mit 130 zu 61 Stimmen bei 3 Enthaltungen eine Motion des Bündner Ständerats Stefan Engler mit dieser Forderung annahm.

    Der Mitte-Politiker argumentierte, Marktbeobachter gingen davon aus, dass der Referenzzinssatz weiter ansteigen werde. Kürzlich erhöhte ihn das Bundesamt für Wohnungswesen (BWO) auf 1,75 Prozent.

    Seit 1986 gelte der Grundsatz, dass ein Ertrag aus Mietobjekten dann zulässig sei, wenn dieser 0,5 Prozent über dem Referenzzins liege. Das Bundesgericht habe aber 2020 zwei Praxisänderungen vorgenommen. Unter anderem habe es bestimmt, dass der Ertrag den Referenzzinssatz neu um zwei Prozent übersteigen dürfe, wenn der Referenzzins zwei Prozent oder weniger betrage.

    Bei einem Anstieg des Referenzzinssatzes auf über 2 Prozent werde sich die Frage stellen, ob der bei der Berechnung der Nettorendite zulässige Zuschlag zum Referenzzins direkt wieder auf 0,5 Prozent zu reduzieren sei. Es sei besser, so Engler, wenn der Bundesrat diese Frage auf politischem Weg kläre, als diese für Mieter- und Vermieterschaft wichtige Frage den Gerichten zu überlassen.

    Rot-Grün dagegen
    Der Bundesrat war einverstanden mit der Annahme der Motion, welcher der Ständerat bereits im September zugestimmt hatte. «Gouverner, c’est prévoir», sagte Bundesrat Guy Parmelin am Dienstag im Rat. Regieren heisse Vorausschauen.

    Steigt der Referenzzinssatz um 0,25 Prozentpunkte, können die Vermieter die Mieten um 3 Prozent anheben. Voraussetzung dafür ist bei langjährigen Mietverhältnissen aber, dass auch die früheren Senkungen weitergegeben wurden.

    Eine rot-grüne Minderheit im Nationalrat argumentierte am Dienstag, im Text der Motion werde schon eine bestimmte Richtung für die Neuregelung vorgegeben. Dies in dem Sinne, dass die Interessen der Vermieter in den Vordergrund gestellt würden. Sie scheiterte aber mit ihrem Antrag, die Motion abzulehnen.

  • Flatfox becomes part of the Swiss Marketplace Group

    Flatfox becomes part of the Swiss Marketplace Group

    According to a joint press release from SMG Swiss Marketplace Group and Mobiliar, the Zurich-based digital network company has acquired a majority stake in Mobiliar subsidiary Flatfox. With the acquisition and sole control by SMG, Flatfox will be integrated into SMG Real Estate. Flatfox has already been involved in the digitalisation of the rental process in Zurich, Bern and Fribourg in recent years. With the ImmoScout24 and Homegate portals, SMG Real Estate now wants to drive this process forward throughout Switzerland. The aim is for users to benefit efficiently from Flatfox’s digital solutions throughout the rental process on SMG’s property marketplaces, according to the press release.

    “In future, it will be even easier for tenants to find a new home – digitally and in the shortest possible time,” Martin Waeber, Managing Director Real Estate at SMG, is quoted as saying in the press release. The acquisition of Flatfox also offers benefits for corporate customers. “Combining the services of Flatfox and SMG Real Estate will enable them to organise their business even more efficiently, visibly and therefore more successfully in future,” says Waeber. The SMG Swiss Marketplace Group unites the digital marketplaces of TX Group, Ringier and Mobiliar.

  • Holcim co-founds Circularity Task Force at COP28

    Holcim co-founds Circularity Task Force at COP28

    Building materials producer Holcim has joined the London Sustainable Markets Initiative ‘s Circularity Task Force, according to a press release. The task force, which was founded at the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, aims to accelerate the global transition to a circular economy in the construction industry in order to promote climate protection, conserve natural resources and respect planetary boundaries.

    The founding members are Holcim Dubai Airports, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Gemini Corporation, Investcorp and LGT Group. According to a statement from the Sustainable Markets Initiative, the Circularity Task Force will be coordinated by Gemini Corporation and its CEO Kunaal Patawari. The task force is guided by the principles of Terra Carta, an association founded in 2021 by King Charles of England, which proposes a series of measures for sustainable global value creation by 2030.

    “In view of the growing world population and urbanisation, we need to build better with fewer resources,” Holcim’s President and CEO Jan Jenisch is quoted as saying in the company’s own press release. “At Holcim, we are driving circular construction in all the metropolises where we operate to build cities out of cities by recycling demolition materials for new construction solutions.”

    Holcim already processes almost 7 million tonnes of demolition material per year, or around 1,000 truckloads per day, into new construction solutions. By 2030, the company wants to expand its ECOCycle recycling technology to 150 sites in Europe and then recycle more than 20 million tonnes of construction waste every year.

  • Adaptation strategies for property professionals in a changing world

    Adaptation strategies for property professionals in a changing world

    The effects of the global pandemic are still being felt years later and have led us into a new reality. This requires property investors to re-evaluate their strategies in order to position themselves in a balanced way while remaining disciplined and flexible in responding to changing market conditions.

    The pandemic led to unprecedented, globally synchronised economic shutdowns, followed by a rapid restart. This resulted in a return of inflation, labour market bottlenecks and rising interest rates. At the same time, geopolitical upheavals, including conflicts in oil regions and the emergence of national industrial and environmental policies, are reshaping the global landscape.

    Against this backdrop, property investors should expect subdued growth in the USA, moderate growth in Europe and an adjustment to a new economic normal in China in 2024. These developments favour a focus on quality stocks, including in the technology sector, and a cautious stance towards government bonds as central banks are expected to start cutting interest rates.

    Political developments will also play an important role and could harbour both opportunities and risks for the global markets. Investors should therefore be prepared to adjust their market strategies accordingly and consider capital protection strategies.

    The next decade will be characterised by the ongoing development of artificial intelligence, a changing Chinese economy, the energy transition and persistently high levels of debt. These factors will have a far-reaching impact and offer investors new opportunities, particularly in sectors that benefit from technological innovation.

    In this new world, it is more important than ever for investors to have a clear plan, invest in a balanced way and remain flexible. Lessons from the past emphasise the value of diversification and the importance of patience and adaptability in an ever-changing environment.

  • Marc Giraudon as new CEO of Helvetica Property Investors

    Marc Giraudon as new CEO of Helvetica Property Investors

    In a significant leadership change announcement, the appointment of Marc Giraudon as Co-CEO from 1 January 2024 and sole CEO from 1 July 2024 has been announced. This change follows a decision by the Board of Directors and is subject to FINMA approval.

    Marc Giraudon, an expert with extensive experience in property asset management, will replace Hans R. Holdener, co-founder and long-standing CEO of Helvetica. Holdener has announced his intention to relinquish his leadership role in the company, but will continue to serve as co-CEO until Giraudon assumes full responsibility. Holdener will then take up a position in business development to contribute his extensive experience to Helvetica’s future growth and expansion into new markets.

    Giraudon, who has been a strategic advisor to Helvetica since the end of 2022, brings a wealth of knowledge from his long career in the property industry. He previously held senior positions at Hines and Langham Hall and holds both a chartered accountancy qualification in the UK and an MBA from London Business School.

    Hans Ueli Keller, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Helvetica, praised Holdener’s achievements and emphasised Giraudon’s suitability for the new role. Holdener himself also expresses his conviction that Giraudon is the right choice to lead Helvetica in the changing market conditions. Giraudon looks forward to his new role with enthusiasm and plans to use his experience and expertise to drive the company forward.

  • Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area receives four new buildings

    Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area receives four new buildings

    The Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area in Allschwil will more than double in size in stages by 2028. The private investor Senn Resources from St.Gallen is investing around 350 million Swiss francs in the four new buildings planned. Together with the main building, which opened a year ago, they will form the Main Campus site. The Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area also has two other sites: the Jura site in Courroux and the Novartis Campus in Basel.

    As with the main building, three of the four new buildings will be designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron, according to a press release from the Innovation Park. The “radically sustainable” Hortus office building is already under construction and is scheduled for completion in 2025. The All and Cloud laboratory and office buildings are in the planning stage. The public-facing Hope building was developed in collaboration with the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute. Senn is building it with Basel architects Felippi Wyssen, who won the anonymous competition.

    “It is extremely gratifying that the partnership of a public and private institution has made it possible to build an innovation district of this size,” said Raymond Cron, Managing Director of the national umbrella organisation Switzerland Innovation. “This means that not only the life sciences location of Basel, but also the nationwide network of Switzerland Innovation ‘s six parks is gaining in importance.” “With Senn,” says Christof Klöpper, CEO of Basel Area Business & Innovation and CEO of Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area, “a private partner is making a major contribution to attracting innovative companies to the region and supporting the objectives of Switzerland Innovation.”

  • New 4-star resort “La Sassa” impresses in Münstertal

    New 4-star resort “La Sassa” impresses in Münstertal

    Val Müstair is currently experiencing an increase in overnight stays and has no hotels in the upmarket 4-star segment. “La Sassa” aims to fill this market niche and both preserve existing jobs and create new ones.

    The resort is to be realised in three stages. It will offer hotel rooms, serviced holiday flats, a reception, a restaurant, a public spa and wellness area and a sports equipment shop. Once all stages have been completed, 320 beds are planned in six buildings.

    In contrast to other resorts, “La Sassa” is focussing on nature-based tourism. The resort is primarily intended for active people and families who appreciate the nature of the Swiss nature park and are prepared to make a longer journey for this experience.

    The architecture is based on the characteristics of Val Müstair. Regional, high-quality building materials will be used, which should ensure authenticity and a high quality of stay.

    Domenig Immobilien AG is investing CHF 30 million in the project in the first construction phase. The flats will be sold as managed second homes that can only be occupied by the owner for a limited period of time. The rest of the time they will be rented out, with the owners receiving a return.

    A village square in the centre of the resort will serve as a meeting zone for guests and locals. This will create an authentic and dynamic public space with a high quality of stay.

    “La Sassa” offers an ideal base for discovering Val Müstair and neighbouring areas such as the Engadin and South Tyrol. The region is characterised by its diverse nature, fresh mountain air and unique local culture.

  • Zurich is a stronghold of long-term tenants

    Zurich is a stronghold of long-term tenants

    Regulations on the rental property market protect tenants from rent increases. In contrast to the almost 25 per cent increase in asking rents, existing rents have remained relatively unchanged since 2008, explains Zürcher Kantonalbank(ZKB) in a press release. According to the ZHK’s surveys, the city of Zurich is a stronghold of long-term tenants. On average, tenants here have been living in their flat for ten years, with 15 per cent even staying for 20 years.

    “Strict rent regulations make the situation easier for existing tenants, but they also create financial disincentives,” Ursina Kubli, Head of Property Research at ZKB, is quoted as saying. “Tenants stay in their flats even though they are too small, too big or no longer suitable for other reasons.” Kubli proposes better framework conditions for residential construction as a solution: “A growing supply would dampen the increase in asking rents and thus also slow down the further drifting apart of asking and existing rents.” For this year, the experts at ZKB expect asking rents to grow by 3.5 per cent across Switzerland.

    The ZKB experts expect prices for owner-occupied homes to ease slightly. Across Switzerland, price growth should still be 1 per cent this year and 0.5 per cent next year. In the canton of Zurich, growth of 2 per cent is forecast for this year and 1 per cent for next year. “Excessive prices, as we saw during the pandemic, are no longer being paid,” explains Kubli. “The price-performance ratio has to make sense – this applies to both good and bad locations.”

  • Future developments in the Swiss property market

    Future developments in the Swiss property market

    Switzerland’s permanent resident population will break the 9 million barrier in the first half of 2024. The “magic” 10 million mark should then be reached by the mid-2030s. This additional million is likely to set new records: Never before has the resident population increased so quickly. Never before has a million-strong increase been driven so strongly by international migration and at the same time accompanied by so little construction activity.

    The creation of more than enough living space and a massive expansion of the transport infrastructure have been responsible for the fact that rents have risen significantly less than wages since Switzerland’s 5 million population in 1955. What has been true over the last 70 years – falling housing costs, greater consumption of space per person and more comfortable living – is now likely to be a thing of the past. This is because the cumulative shortfall of at least 150,000 flats by 2034 due to the slowdown in construction activity is likely to keep the consumption of living space stable.

    Prices and rents outpace wage growth
    Rents are therefore likely to rise faster than incomes in the coming years. Rents on offer could increase by a total of 25 to 30 per cent in real terms by the mid-2030s – comparable to the trend between 2002 and 2012. In contrast to the last 70 years, rents in city centres are also likely to rise more strongly than in the periphery due to the high level of immigration.

    Residential property prices – both for owner-occupied homes and apartment blocks – are also expected to rise faster than incomes, with interest rates remaining moderate overall. On the one hand, prime locations will remain in disproportionately high demand as a result of growth. On the other hand, the “suburbs” of the major centres will increasingly expand into the previously extended agglomerations, which will also increase the willingness to pay there. Residential property therefore has the potential to match or even exceed past increases in value.

    Golden age with reservations
    However, dreams of high increases in value due to rising rents could quickly turn out to be an illusion. If the housing situation of many households deteriorates, politicians could burden the market with additional regulations. In such a scenario, construction activity could fall even further and households would have to move even closer together. The long-term losers would also be the building fabric and sustainability due to a lack of incentives for comprehensive and energy-efficient renovations.