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  • BKW takes over IT company ngworx

    BKW takes over IT company ngworx

    The BKW Group from Bern has bought ngworx. The energy company wants to merge the Zurich IT company with its subsidiary swisspro Solultions , according to a media release . Together, the companies are to expand the IT division of BKW Building Solutions into a holistic IT provider. "We can also expand our geographic presence in this technology-driven business," Mathias Prüssing, CEO of BKW Building Solutions, is quoted in the press release.

    Ngworx AG was founded in Zurich in 2013 and offers network consulting, engineering and integration services for business customers in Switzerland and Europe. With just under 20 employees, the company has practical experience and knowledge in the area of networks and security. According to a press release, the ngworx management team will remain with the company and will help shape the development of the IT division of BKW Building Solutions.

  • Sedimentum cooperates with bonacasa

    Sedimentum cooperates with bonacasa

    Many elderly people need to live independently in their own four walls for as long as possible, Sedimentum writes in a press release . The young company from Zug has developed a sensor that automatically calls for help in the event of a fall. Sedimentum is now teaming up with bonacasa for a pilot project. The Solothurn-based company, which specializes in living with services, will equip various of its residential units with the sensors.

    Sedimentum's fall sensors are mounted on the ceiling like a lamp, the company said in the press release. The sensor works without a camera and microphone, but is able to detect a fall. In such a case, the sensor independently requests help, for example from Spitex or the concierge service. In this way, both the physical security and the privacy of the residents of the apartment are protected, writes Sedimentum.

  • LafargeHolcim strengthens the cycle in the wind industry

    LafargeHolcim strengthens the cycle in the wind industry

    The Zug-based building materials group LafargeHolcim and the Paris-based General Electric subsidiary GE Renewable Energy are teaming up. According to a press release, together they want to find new ways of recycling materials from dismantled wind turbines. The rotor blades are also to become part of a circular economy, among other things as material for the construction of new wind farms.

    Both want to develop closed loop solutions especially for the European market. The background to this is that wind turbines that are aging there by 2025 with a cumulative output of almost 10 gigawatts will be repowered, i.e. replaced with more powerful ones of the latest generation or shut down.

    "With sustainability at the heart of our strategy, the acceleration of renewable energies and the circular economy are top priorities for our company," said Edelio Bermejo, head of the Global Innovation Center at LafargeHolcim. “I am very happy about this collaboration with GE Renewable Energy because it fulfills both goals.” According to the CEO of his partner, Jérôme Pécresse, this collaboration “will make a significant contribution to increasing the sustainability of wind energy today and in the future ".

    Both companies have been working together since 2020. Together with the Danish company Cobod , they are developing record-high towers for wind turbines using concrete 3D printing. These towers are "more robust, more efficient and will be manufactured ten times faster than before," says the press release. According to its own information, LafargeHolcim recycled 46 million tons of material last year. By 2030 it should be 100 million tons.

  • Waste heat from food production will heat miles

    Waste heat from food production will heat miles

    Since the beginning of the year, Delica AG's sweets and snacks have been produced in Meilen with energy obtained from the water of Lake Zurich, explains Energie 360 ° in a press release . The Zurich energy service company implemented this project for Delica AG, which belongs to Migros. “This is a big step towards CO2-neutral production,” said Markus Müller, responsible for energy management at Delica AG in Meilen, in the message.

    The waste heat from the production process is to be used for heating in miles. For this purpose, Energie 360 ° will implement an energy network together with the municipality of Meilen. From autumn next year around 100 properties could be supplied with heating energy, explains the energy service company. Together, they would save around 1.1 million liters of heating oil each year and thus avoid up to 3,000 tons of CO2 emissions.

    Those interested can find out more about the project online and check a connection option, says Energie 360 °. The company also offers a guide price calculator there, with which a guide price offer can be obtained.

  • Implenia hands over the Dialogplatz in Winterthur

    Implenia hands over the Dialogplatz in Winterthur

    Implenia ceremoniously handed over the dialogue space, which was completed in spring, to the city of Winterthur on June 8th, the real estate company informed in a message . The name of the approximately 5,800 square meter open space in the Lokstadt district of Winterthur goes back to a wage dispute at Sulzer that was settled in 1937. Implenia writes that in the future, the dialogue space should be a central place for meeting and exchanging ideas. "We are very pleased to be able to present the residents of Lokstadt and all Winterthur residents with a great town square and meeting place that can be used in many ways", Adrian Wyss, Head of Implenia's Real Estate Division, is quoted in the press release.

    Implenia developed the dialogue space, which is part of the 21,000 square meter open space in the Lokstadt district, in collaboration with the city of Winterthur. In the course of the takeover, the city will gradually be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the square. Implenia is contributing 6 million francs for future maintenance and renovation costs.

    The square, which is located in a new pedestrian zone, offers a variety of opportunities to stay, meet and play, is further explained in the communication. Specifically, Implenia lists a playground, shady trees, a system for roller sports equipment (pump track), a drinking fountain, seating and a catering area.

  • Nova Property increases capital for real estate funds

    Nova Property increases capital for real estate funds

    Nova Property has successfully completed a capital increase for its Swiss Central City Real Estate Fund, the company acting as fund management company informs in a release . During the capital increase carried out from May 25 to June 4, a total of 760,414 new shares were issued to existing shareholders and new investors at a subscription price of 108.80 francs each. A new share could be acquired for every three subscription rights.

    The capital increase was "significantly oversubscribed", explains Nova Property in the announcement. In total, it brought in new funds totaling 82.7 million francs for the Swiss Central City Real Estate Fund. Nova Property intends to use the funds to further expand the property portfolio. The fund, which is traded over the counter by Bank J. Safra Sarasin, holds real estate in central locations throughout Switzerland.

  • The borders disappear in the Limmatstadt

    The borders disappear in the Limmatstadt

    The customer magazine " blue " of the electricity works of the canton of Zurich ( EKZ ) dedicates its cover story to the development of the Limmatstadt. In conversation in Schlieren and at urban development centers along the Limmattalbahn, the managing director of the Limmatstadt AG location promotion company, Jasmina Ritz, explains the idea behind the project. “A city is emerging” is the title of the latest edition of “blue” with a photo of Jasmina Ritz on the roof of the Bio-Technopark in Schlieren. "Here we are in the epicenter of the urban development of the Limmatstadt," Ritz is quoted as saying. And: "From up here you can no longer see any boundaries."

    With this sentence and in the long conversation with the author Luc Descombes, the person responsible at Limmatstadt AG makes it clear that the advantages and strengths of the individual communities should be brought together in the common vision of the Limmatstadt. "That is why a common self-image is so central," Ritz is quoted as saying. According to the text of “blue”, at least 200,000 people live in the catchment area of the so-called Limmatstadt, depending on the perspective. In the opinion of Jasmina Ritz, this deserves “a strong joint appearance and powerful location marketing”.

    In the main story published under the second title "Vision Limmatstadt", the examples of the communities of Schlieren and Dietikon show the emergence of a "liveable city" across the canton border into Aargauische Spreitenbach. The importance of the Limmattalbahn, which is currently under construction, for regional merging is emphasized. Jasmina Ritz says: “Wherever a tram goes, urban space is created. The Limmattalbahn is crucial for the positive development of the region. "

    The EKZ's commitment in this area is made clear in "blue" with the company projects. The Dietikon EKZ hydropower station supplies 4,500 households, the Oberengstringen substation has been providing an additional 80 megawatts since 2020 and the EKZ has been laying dozens of kilometers of new lines and conduits for the Limmat Valley Railway since 2020 to strengthen the future power grid in the Limmat city. "Blue" appears twice a year with a circulation of 300,000 copies throughout the canton. The magazine goes to every household.

  • Construction trader HGC takes a stake in Urdorf start-up

    Construction trader HGC takes a stake in Urdorf start-up

    The trading cooperative of the Swiss Builders' Association ( HGC ) participates in Cloudworks AG , based in Urdorf. The company operates the PropTech start-up umbaumanager.ch, which was founded in 2019. The digital platform carries out the entire conversion process in digital form, according to the media release on the partnership. She leads the homeowner through the entire process of the construction project, from the first cost estimate, through the obtaining of offers, the award of contracts and construction management to any defect management.

    Umbaumanager.ch has been working with a network of qualified craftsmen and suppliers since the start. The HGC was one of the first partners of umbaumanager.ch and is now participating in the operating company Cloudworks, according to the announcement. "With the network and know-how of HGC as a service provider for everything to do with construction, our platform can be expanded further," the founders of Cloudworks AG and developers of umbaumanager.ch, Faton Mati and Christian Vogt, are quoted as saying:

    The HG Commerciale cooperative, founded in 1899, supplies the Swiss construction industry with materials. "We at HGC are further expanding our digital competence with our participation and can thus offer our craft customers a clear added value", Martin Tobler, CEO of HGC, is quoted in the announcement. The HGC has around 800 employees.

  • Cosmos construction project goes to real estate fund

    Cosmos construction project goes to real estate fund

    Mobimo is selling its building-approved Cosmos project in Dübendorf to a real estate fund managed by Credit Suisse , the Lucerne real estate company informed in apress release . In 2000, Mobimo acquired the corresponding property on Zürichstrasse. Instead of the commercial building that existed at the time, four new buildings with a total of around 170 apartments as well as areas that can be used for offices, businesses or sales are to be built.

    Construction work is scheduled to start this month. In the late summer of 2023, the buildings complying with the Sustainable Building Switzerland Standard (SNBS Gold) and the greenproperty seal of approval should be completed. Among other things, a photovoltaic system and a geothermal probe will be installed, explains Mobimo.

    “We have developed a convincing new building project from an investment property with potential,” Mobimo CEO Daniel Ducrey is quoted in the press release. "Cosmos is a good example of the interaction between active portfolio management and internal development competence."

  • PropTech trend has reached investors

    PropTech trend has reached investors

    A lot of capital is currently flowing into startups. In 2020, over CHF 2 billion flowed into Swiss start-ups. Across Europe, more than 500 million euros per year have recently been invested in startups dedicated to digitizing the real estate industry (source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2021, European PropTech Trends 2020). In addition to professional venture capital companies, it is increasingly corporate investors and business angels who want to cut a piece of the (PropTech) pie here. This is due, on the one hand, to the situation on the financial markets – keyword negative interest rates – but on the other hand it is certainly also due to the digital transformation and the efforts of companies to secure appropriate product know-how in the company.

    But how does a startup actually define itself? Not every young entrepreneur is automatically a startup entrepreneur. According to the definition of the Swiss Startup Radar, a scalable business model and ambitious growth plans must be in place and the focus must also be on international sales markets. The business model is based on a science and technology-based approach and a focus on innovation. Last but not least: the donors are return-oriented, their investments should pay off.

    Funding generally takes place in different financing rounds. Depending on the development stage, one speaks of seed investments, Series A and Series B financing rounds for the early phases, Series C, D, E, etc. for the later stages – until a possible exit follows at some point, for example through an IPO or the sale to a large investor. An exit is, so to speak, an indicator of the “maturity” of a startup ecosystem and is important for the system’s own dynamism: it produces selling (previous) investors and founders who, in turn, reinvest in new startups or re-establish startups.

    You can read more about innovation strategy and startup financing here:
    https://proptechmarket.net/impulse

  • Novavest plans another capital increase

    Novavest plans another capital increase

    Novavest Real Estate AG would like to expand its portfolio of properties, the Zurich real estate company informs in a message . The necessary funds are to be brought in via a capital increase. Specifically, Novavest is planning to issue up to 642,619 new registered shares with a nominal value of CHF 26.90 each. The reference value was set at CHF 42.05 per share.

    In the case of the capital increase planned for the period from June 14 to 23, existing shareholders of Novavest Real Estate AG will be granted a right to purchase one new share for every eleven registered shares already held. If all subscription rights are exercised in full and the capital increase is fully exhausted, the transaction volume will be around CHF 27 million, Novavest explains in the announcement.

    Novavest had already successfully completed a capital increase last December. Investors subscribed to a total of 631,145 new registered shares at a subscription price of CHF 41.70 each with a nominal value of CHF 28.55. Novavest also used the funds raised in this capital increase of around CHF 26.3 million to expand its own real estate portfolio. At the end of May, the company then lowered the nominal value of its shares by 1.65 francs to 26.90 francs. The difference is to be paid out on June 8th.

  • Swiss Life Arena produces ice in a CO2-neutral way

    Swiss Life Arena produces ice in a CO2-neutral way

    The Swiss Life Arena should be “a showpiece in terms of energy efficiency”, writes the electricity company of the city of Zurich ( ewz ) in a press release . It created the energy concept for the ice rink in Zurich Altstetten. “We have incorporated our many years of experience in the planning, implementation and technical operation of arenas such as the Hallenstadion in Zurich, the Swisspor Arena in Lucerne or the Vaudoise Arena in Lausanne,” says Christoph Deiss, Head of Energy Solutions at ewz Communication cited.

    The heart of the concept is the arena’s energy center, which produces the cold for the ice surface and the energy for the indoor climate. The waste heat produced by the four refrigeration machines is used on the one hand to heat the rooms. On the other hand, the arena is to be connected to the Altstetten and Höngg energy network. In this way, the waste heat from the refrigeration machines will contribute to the heat supply of households connected to the energy network in the future. “We decided on an energy concept from ewz that guarantees ecological sustainability,” said Peter Zahner, CEO of the ZSC Lions , in the message. “We were particularly impressed by the innovative approach to utilize synergies – not least from an economic point of view.”

    In order for the Swiss Life Arena to meet the Minergie standard for ice arenas, a photovoltaic system with an output of 400 kilowatts peak will also be installed on the roof of the stadium. Heating and cooling as well as the electricity additionally supplied by ewz are produced “100 percent CO2-free”, writes ewz. A building automation system should control the systems in a demand-oriented and energy-efficient manner.

  • Implenia impresses with sustainability

    Implenia impresses with sustainability

    In the current sustainability ranking from Sustainalytics , Implenia has further expanded its leading position in environmental, social and governance matters, the real estate company from Dietlikon informs in a press release . In concrete terms, Implenia had increased its overall rating by 5 to 84 points compared to the previous year. Implenia also took the top spot among a total of 66 real estate companies examined in the three individual sub-categories of environment, social affairs and governance.

    “This outstanding result confirms our ambitious path and we will continue to pursue it with our new sustainability goals”, Anita Eckardt, Chairwoman of Implenia’s Sustainability Committee, is quoted in the press release. “From CO2 reduction on our path to climate neutrality to the highest standards of a sustainable supply chain and circular economy, the twelve goals cover a broad spectrum of what we want to achieve in the coming years.” Implenia is making the full Sustainalytics report available on the Internet Disposal.

    Sustainalytics, based in Amsterdam, specializes in assessing the sustainability of listed companies. The evaluation is also of financial importance. More and more investors and institutional investors are showing interest in whether sustainability strategies are effective and affect supply chains and product delivery. The annual appraisal gives you an independent assessment of your investments. Implenia is currently receiving “more favorable financing terms” due to its very good rating, writes the real estate company.

  • Hächler Group makes Baden city tower future-proof

    Hächler Group makes Baden city tower future-proof

    Specialists in the renovation of historic and listed buildings belonging to the Hächler Group have repaired water damage to the city tower in Baden. According to a press release from the Wettingen construction company, the damage was caused at a height of 30 meters and the entire tufa brickwork was saturated with water.

    In order to avoid such water damage in the future after the repair is complete, the most modern technology will be used on the historic building. Every year there will be a control of the drains by means of a drone, it says in the message.

    Reto Schwitter – foreman, remodeling and renovation of historic buildings at Hächler – reports on the course of events in the media release. On December 22nd, the remodeling and renovation department of Hächler AG received an emergency message with the information that pieces of plaster were falling from the Baden city tower. The damage was examined the next morning with the help of the turntable ladders of the Baden fire brigade at a height of 30 meters.

    The damaged area had been cleaned, but the heavy snow and rain in the following three weeks, followed by night frost, worsened the damage and more pieces of plaster fell off, reports the foreman. A protective net had to be installed in January. In March, the Hächler specialists scaffolded the city tower for the renovation of historical and listed buildings. The historic building material that was soaked in water was identified. After a period of drying out, it was possible to rebuild, reports Polier Schwitter. Now a new gutter has to be installed and then it is necessary to regularly check the Baden city tower at a height of 30 meters – by drone.

  • Umwelt Arena implements lighthouse project in Urdorf

    Umwelt Arena implements lighthouse project in Urdorf

    The development of the Umwelt Arena in Männedorf received the Watt d'or 2021 from the Federal Office of Energy. The two multi-family houses in Männedorf can cover their energy needs with photovoltaic modules on the facades and roofs and two wind turbines. This means that your residents are exempt from electricity and heating costs up to an upper limit.

    The Umwelt Arena is now following up with a new lighthouse project. In Urdorf, three more energy self-sufficient residential buildings are to be realized, is explained in an article on energeia + . The blog of the Federal Office of Energy will accompany the implementation of the project in a loose series of articles. In the first article, Walter Schmid, investor and initiator of the Umwelt Arena, explains the planned development.

    As in Männedorf, the buildings in Urdorf will also produce their own energy, explains Schmid. “Photovoltaic systems are installed on the facade, on the flat roof or the entrance to the underground car park.” Excess energy produced in summer is to be fed into the gas network and withdrawn in winter. In order to convert the gas back into electricity and heat, a hybrid box will be installed in the basement of the building. The tenants of the residential buildings are to be exempted from electricity and heating costs up to an upper limit.

    In the brochure for the project, the development in Urdorf is referred to as a “national future project”. Because the project should show "that it is worthwhile to build energy-efficiently and win everyone in the process," says the initiator Schmid. Männedorf has already shown that the idea works, that the larger project in Urdorf should "make it even cheaper, more economical". Because this is the only way to attract imitators.

  • Buildings of the Zurich city administration will be CO2-neutral

    Buildings of the Zurich city administration will be CO2-neutral

    According to a media release from the City of Zurich, all of the properties owned by the city administration are to become CO2-neutral by 2035. City Councilor André Odermatt (SP), Head of the Building Construction Department, presented a strategy for this this week.

    According to the announcement, a large part of the operating emissions can be traced back to fossil heat generation. Among other things, all fossil heating systems should therefore be replaced by alternative heat sources. The heat will come from heat networks or district heating systems. Further measures include technical innovations, improvements in energy efficiency and changes in behavior.

    The portfolio of Immobilien Stadt Zürich (IMMO) includes school complexes, office buildings and workshops. Since 2007, thanks to various measures, it has already been possible to more than halve the buildings' annual CO2 emissions by around 23,000 tonnes to around 20,000 tonnes. A reduction of 90 percent is to be achieved by 2030, before the buildings become completely CO2-neutral in 2035.

    “The goal is ambitious, but the size of our portfolio with around 1,800 buildings also obliges us to set ambitious goals. IMMO can make a significant contribution to urban climate policy, ”Odermatt is quoted as saying.

  • Also new for heat pumps: Switzerland-wide climate bonus for replacing oil and gas heating systems is being expanded

    Also new for heat pumps: Switzerland-wide climate bonus for replacing oil and gas heating systems is being expanded

    Switzerland-wide funding with no upper limit
    This is exactly where Energie Zukunft Schweiz comes in: The climate bonus is a large-scale, Switzerland-wide funding program with no maximum amount and is expected to run until 2025. The climate bonus for wood heating systems launched in August 2020 has hit the nerve of the times: a total of around 600 funding requests have been received since then.

    Fossil heating with a total output of 12 MW is already being replaced with the help of the climate premium. For a heating center for eight apartment buildings with an output of 316 kW, for example, a subsidy of CHF 110,000 was spoken, which covered around 60% of the investment costs. With this system alone, 56,000 liters of heating oil can be saved per year, which corresponds to emissions of around 125 tons of CO₂.

    Even more attractive thanks to the expansion to include heat pumps
    Following the successful launch for wood heating systems, Energie Zukunft Schweiz is now expanding the program to include heat pumps. The subsidy for water / water and brine / water heat pumps is 1.80 francs per liter of oil or cubic meter of natural gas saved. For an air / water heat pump, the amount is 1 franc. With correctly dimensioned heating, that is around 360 francs for a brine / water heat pump and 200 francs per kilowatt of power for an air / water heat pump.

    Energie Zukunft Schweiz provides an online subsidy calculator to estimate the expected subsidy amount. The funding is financed by the KliK Foundation for Climate Protection and CO₂ Compensation. The program is regulated by the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN.

    Funding contributions for all areas – also for public buildings, office buildings and industrial companies
    The fact that there is no upper limit for funding and not only for the residential sector makes the program for large-scale heating systems – for example for community buildings, process heat in industrial companies, apartment blocks, large commercial or office buildings or entire areas – particularly attractive. A substantial proportion of the investment costs are covered and complex, multivalent systems are also eligible for funding.

    Decarbonization is accelerating
    Renewable heating systems offer many advantages: They not only protect the climate by significantly reducing CO2 emissions, they also have a positive influence on the image and value of real estate. With the generous subsidies for wood heating systems and heat pumps and the uniform processing throughout Switzerland, the climate bonus accelerates the decarbonisation of heating systems in Switzerland significantly. The investment costs are massively reduced. The dilemma that climate-damaging technologies are preferred for reasons of cost has thus been overcome.

  • City Pop: New app for microliving

    City Pop: New app for microliving

    City Pop combines the need for microliving apartments with social living. This is how City Pop differs significantly from other microliving providers. «Our app should meet the needs of our guests and meet the requirements for sustainable living. All services relevant to everyday life can be accessed centrally in one place and are easy to use. We also want to provide tenants with an uncomplicated platform on which they can network and exchange ideas. The aim is to create a real community that helps new tenants to integrate into the respective city, ”explains Manuel Sassella, CEO of City Pop.

    Innovation and flexibility
    The app is the heart of City Pop and the key to the City Pop apartments and the associated services. For example, the apartment can be viewed autonomously before booking. A time slot can be reserved via the app during which individual access to the apartment is possible. Booking and management of the rental agreement for the apartment, ancillary rooms and services are also carried out directly via the app. City Pop confirms the conclusion of the contract in just under 30 minutes and unlocks the virtual house key. «Last year we focused on creating a new and leaner user interface – using solid, secure and scalable technologies. A brand new, engaging and interactive experience that adapts to the needs of our guests, not the other way around. The focus is on innovation and maximum flexibility, ”says Alex Sassella, City Pop's Chief Technology Officer and responsible for the development of the app. The experiences and needs of the guests are continuously integrated into the further development of the entire City Pop concept via the app's feedback functions and thus also flow into the future design of the houses and apartments.

    Community idea in the foreground
    In addition to the additional services such as laundry and cleaning service, delivery service or car and bike sharing, the app also offers "house chat" – the opportunity to easily get in touch with neighbors, to meet up and exchange ideas. The “Around you” column shows what offers and activities are available in the area. City Pop's social living concept includes not only virtual, but also physical spaces that are intended to promote exchange, such as common rooms for events and coworking spaces.

    City Pop is expanding nationally and internationally
    City Pop is the first provider in Switzerland to have developed a holistic microliving concept in which living space, innovative technology and social community ideas go hand in hand. The implementation takes place at national and international level. In Switzerland, the Swiss company offers apartments in Zurich and Lugano. The occupancy rate in the apartments is over 98% on average. Further projects in Lausanne, Zurich, Geneva and Basel are under construction and will be ready for occupancy over the next two years. In addition, City Pop took over around 1,300 apartments in Switzerland and Europe last year, which are currently being converted in accordance with the City Pop concept. Including cities like Milan, Amsterdam, Paris, London, Dublin, Berlin, Frankfurt and Prague. City Pop aims to operate 15,000 apartments in 57 major European cities by 2025.

    Further information on City Pop's innovative living concept is available at: www.citypop.com
    Download the app from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store

  • Federal government is satisfied with the law on second homes

    Federal government is satisfied with the law on second homes

    The population accepted the second home initiative in 2012. This means that no additional holiday apartments or houses may be built in municipalities with more than 20 percent second homes. The Federal Council has now carried out an impact analysis of the Second Homes Act. He comes to the conclusion that the law does not need to be adjusted.

    In its communication, however, the Federal Council emphasizes that it is still too early to conclusively assess the Second Homes Act. For example, there would still be transition effects. Certain construction projects were approved before the law came into force. Overall, the land consumption for newly built second homes in all affected municipalities decreased by around a third from 2013 to 2018 compared to 2007 to 2012. However, the law on second homes did not result in zero growth.

    The federal government does not see any need for reform in the Second Homes Act. However, he sees a need for action in terms of enforcement, the knowledge base and the key terms of the accommodation industry. For example, the tasks and competencies of the cantons are to be specified. In 2025, the federal government will re-examine the effects of the law.

    In a media release, the Intergovernmental Conference of the Mountain Cantons is disappointed with the Federal Council's decision. It is known that the law on second homes is "largely complex in terms of content and not optimally formulated". This leads to problems in the execution. Accordingly, according to the mountain cantons, the law could be improved. You now want to work towards adjustments in parliament. They also emphasize that the impact analysis was carried out two years later than the law provides. If it had already gone that way, the findings from the corona pandemic should have been incorporated.

  • JED wins design award

    JED wins design award

    The real estate development JED in Schlieren was able to convince in an international architecture competition. She received the Silver Award at theA 'Design Award and Comeptition . As part of the global competition, 2094 winners from 108 countries and in 104 design disciplines were chosen.

    JED was honored for its interior design, according to a message from real estate developer Swiss Prime Site on LinkedIn. In addition to Swiss Prime Site, the Zurich architecture firm Evolution Design is behind the design.

    JED was created on the former printing center of the “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” in Schlieren. The development offers space for workplaces and events. JED sees itself as a “center for knowledge transfer, innovation and entrepreneurship”.

    "The project shows how industrial premises can be transformed into attractive destinations that revitalize local (economic) activities and create a platform for entrepreneurship," said the jury of the A 'Design Award and Competition. The architectural concept emphasizes the special features of the individual halls and gives the original structure a contemporary profile. The jury also praised the rooms in such a way that they enable knowledge transfer, creativity and innovation.

    The aim of the A 'Design Award and Competition is to make special architectural projects from all over the world known. This is intended to inspire new projects.

  • "Gupfengarten" in Niederweningen receives building permit

    "Gupfengarten" in Niederweningen receives building permit

    The building permit for the Gupfengarten residential development in Niederweningen is now legally binding. According to a media release, construction on a well-developed area south of the 3,000-inhabitant village should begin in late summer. The project is being implemented by the Zurich project developer Steiner AG on behalf of Evostate Immobilien AG.

    The Gupfengarten project comprises 36 single-family houses and three multi-family houses with 21 condominiums. It should be completed by the 3rd quarter of 2023. Graf Biscioni Architekten AG is responsible for the architecture.

    Othmar Ulrich, Head of Real Estate Development in the Eastern Region at Steiner AG, points out in the press release that the marketing of the apartments began last year. "With the legally binding building permit, another important milestone has now been reached," said Ulrich. The 36 row single-family houses with 4.5 and 5.5 rooms have their own private garden and are child-friendly. The 21 condominium apartments with 2.5 to 4.5 rooms have a covered outdoor area. The traffic-free settlement has an underground car park with direct access to the residential units.

    The Gupfengarten project focuses on sustainability with heat generation using a heat pump and photovoltaic system. The building envelope is made of wood for optimal thermal insulation values. The Gupfengarten development is within walking distance of the train station. From there it is 35 minutes by train to the center of Zurich.

  • FenX convinces with sustainable insulation material

    FenX convinces with sustainable insulation material

    FenX AG has secured 2.7 million francs in a seed financing round, according to a press release . Investors include the real estate company Swiss Prime Site, Zürcher Kantonalbank and CADFEM International, which specializes in simulation-based planning.

    FenX AG has developed a patented technology with which industrial waste can be converted into insulation boards using a cost-effective foam process at room temperature. According to the communication, the insulation boards produced in this way have good insulation properties and high mechanical strength. They are not flammable and cause almost no CO2 emissions.

    On the one hand, FenX intends to use the fresh funds to continue investing in research and development. On the other hand, the company wants to set up its first production facility and prepare for market entry. FenX's long-term goal is to produce recyclable building materials around the world. Production is to take place decentrally from locally available resources.

    FenX was spun off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich ( ETH) in 2019. Behind the company are researchers from the ETH Laboratory for Complex Materials.

  • Stadtwerk Winterthur pushes conversion to renewables

    Stadtwerk Winterthur pushes conversion to renewables

    Stadtwerk Winterthur is consistently pursuing the conversion of the energy supply to renewable energies, explains the energy company of the City of Winterthur in a communication on the 2020 annual financial statements . In the year under review, Stadtwerk Winterthur installed 14 new photovoltaic systems, among other things. Since April, only biogas and CO2-compensated natural gas have been offered as basic gas products.

    In order to promote the switch to district heating, the company also refrains from actively selling new gas connections. The basic supply of electricity has been offered exclusively through electricity from renewable energy sources since the beginning of 2020.

    Stadtwerk Winterthur explains in the press release that biogas is currently around 13 percent of the total sales volume. This year the share is to be increased to 33 percent. The company also plans to install 100 new photovoltaic systems by 2025. In addition, it is planned to renew incineration line 2 of the waste incineration plant in the Grüze. This means that additional areas can be supplied with district heating, writes Stadtwerk Winterthur.

    In the year under review, Stadtwerk Winterthur generated total sales of 239 million francs, slightly below the previous year's figure. The profit, on the other hand, has increased significantly to 33 million francs, explains the company. The communication cites very good purchase prices for electricity and gas as a background.

  • HB-Therm builds new headquarters in St.Gallen

    HB-Therm builds new headquarters in St.Gallen

    HB-Therm is the “world's leading manufacturer of temperature control units for the plastics processing industry”, as an article in the “Tagblatt” reveals. With its 150 employees , it produces its products, which are sold in more than 50 countries, exclusively in St.Gallen. The various departments are housed in four buildings around the St. Fiden train station. This will change with the new headquarters in St.Gallen-Winkeln. HB-Therm is investing 60 million francs in the new building; the groundbreaking ceremony recently took place.

    With the new building, however, not only the departments will be brought together under one roof. In addition, HB-Therm will increase its production capacities. 100 of the employees work in St.Gallen, and there will be space for 200 jobs in the future. From the move planned for 2023, more optimal process flows should then be made possible in the future. When choosing the location, it was always clear that HB-Therm would stay in St.Gallen. "We feel very comfortable here, we will stay here", CEO Reto Zürcher is quoted as saying, who also emphasizes that the company will build "the future" with the new headquarters. This is underlined by the targeted Minergie standard for sustainable building, a solar system with a peak output of 300 kilowatts and charging stations for electric vehicles.

    This commitment to a future in St.Gallen is described by Samuel Zuberbühler, Head of City Promotion, as a “strong symbol for the business and workplace”. He is pleased "that the jobs are being preserved and even new ones are being created," he is quoted in the "Tagblatt" newspaper.

  • Procimmo realizes capital increase

    Procimmo realizes capital increase

    Procimmo SA has raised around 70 million francs on the capital market for its real estate fund Procimmo Swiss Commercial Fund 56, the asset manager of collective real estate investments informs in a message . According to her, the capital increase was significantly oversubscribed. The company sees this as "a clear vote of confidence on the part of investors in the fund," says the press release.

    The 64 million francs that have been brought in are intended, on the one hand, to reduce the fund's debt financing ratio. On the other hand, Procimmo wants to use the new capital for the continuation of existing construction projects, is explained in the communication. The company is also planning further property acquisitions.

    The funds brought in correspond to 594,128 new fund shares, explains Procimmo. A total of 2,970,643 shares are currently held by 56 investors. As of the end of 2020, the fund consisted of a total of 33 properties in the cantons of Vaud, Geneva, Friborg, Jura, Neuchâtel and Valais. The announcement puts his total assets at CHF 487.8 million.

  • Jakob Stark presides over Lignum

    Jakob Stark presides over Lignum

    Lignum held its spring meeting online at the end of April, according to a media release from the umbrella organization for the Swiss forest and timber industry. Economy Minister Guy Parmelin also sent a word of greeting and referred to the potential of wood. On the one hand, building owners and architects in Switzerland would increasingly rely on wood and, on the other hand, forests and wood would contribute to the achievement of the federal government's energy and climate targets. There is an enormous demand for the material worldwide.

    Lignum is now managed by Jakob Stark. The Thurgau Council of States has taken over the presidency from Sylvia Flückiger. On her departure, former National Council President Ruedi Lustenberger gave the laudation and underlined that the wood industry had benefited from Flückiger's work in terms of both forest and wood policy.

    The new President Stark sees more and more areas of application for wood as a material in the future. Not only in the building sector, but also in the infrastructure sector, for example in bridge construction, as he says in an interview. In addition, there would also be opportunities to use wood together with concrete: “Modern building is hybrid, you mix.” As a competence center for the use of wood in construction, Lignum would be of major importance for a positive future of wood in Switzerland. In addition, wood has the advantage in terms of climate policy, "that the wood used binds a lot of CO2 and can thus make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gases and slowing global warming, and that is still very cost-effective," says Stark.

  • MLP evaluates real estate with software from PriceHubble

    MLP evaluates real estate with software from PriceHubble

    In the future, MLP Finanzberatung SE will work with the digital solutions for live analysis of the real estate market from PriceHubble . According to a media release, the Zurich technology company is providing MLP with its headquarters in Wiesloch near Heidelberg with the software and extensive real estate data integrated into the MLP website. PriceHubble builds digital products based on the analysis of large amounts of data and artificial intelligence, with which current market trends and the development of real estate can be observed.

    "Our consultants can quickly and efficiently respond to the needs of their customers, assess the market value of a property for purchase or sale and, based on this, develop the best strategy for real estate investments," says Marc-Philipp Unger, Head of Financing at MLP and Executive Board member at the subsidiary Deutschland.Immobilien, quoted in the media release. Real estate investments are often the largest and most emotional asset in a private finance portfolio. Therefore, they should be carefully considered and based on reliable data.

    According to the press release, existing customers who already own a property will soon receive regular evaluation dossiers for their investment. Following on from this, MLP employees can talk to their clients about investments or a sale. The program is also intended to be used in discussions with potential customers who are just thinking about buying or selling a property, financing or converting a residential property and who just want to find out more.

  • Helvetica increases capital of Helvetica Swiss Living Fund

    Helvetica increases capital of Helvetica Swiss Living Fund

    Zurich-based Helvetica Capital AG is issuing new shares in the Helvetica Swiss Living Fund at CHF 109.68 each between May 10 and 26. With this, the company wants to generate additional equity. This is what she needs to buy 300 apartments worth a total of 130 million francs in the Zurich area and the Lake Geneva region, according to a media release .

    This means that the fund will grow to more than 800 apartments, which is intended to improve the diversification and distribution potential of the real estate investment. The purchase is planned for immediately after payment of the capital increase on May 31st.

    In total, a maximum of 342,789 new shares will be issued. This increases the number of shares in circulation from 1,371,155 to a maximum of 1,713,944. There is no trading in subscription rights for shareholders.

  • Empa and Eawag expand campus

    Empa and Eawag expand campus

    The symbolic construction work for the expansion of the research campus by Empa and Eawag in Dübendorf began on Wednesday. The groundbreaking ceremony gave the go-ahead for a new laboratory building. In addition, a multifunctional building and a multi-storey car park are planned on the 20,000 square meter site. According release Empa and completion is scheduled for the middle of the 2024th

    The laboratory building will provide space for around 60 new laboratories and offices, the multifunctional building 1000 square meters of office space and space for restaurants on the ground floor. All parking spaces will be moved to the multi-storey car park. A total of 260 vehicles should find space in it. This would make the outside areas more inviting and safer for pedestrians and cyclists. In addition, more greening is possible.

    In the future, research will not only be carried out in, but also on and with the new buildings. Innovations from Empa's laboratories are to be used primarily in the areas of energy and building technology. For example, a field with geothermal probes is planned that will store the waste heat from the buildings and release it again in winter. A research project will then investigate how this innovation affects the campus energy supply.

  • Global Real Estate Run: Event with follow-up boost

    Global Real Estate Run: Event with follow-up boost

    Almost 1,400 participants from 46 countries and 6 continents ran for the “good cause” and set a sustainable example. With the cultivation of 6,000 trees, one for every kilometer covered, approx. 132 tons of CO2 are offset per year.

    According to the motto “Do good and talk about it”, the organizers thank all participants and look forward to one or the other great additional commitment as part of the running event sponsored by Homegate AG , SPG Intercity Zurich AG and PropTechMarket in Switzerland. Numerous pictures, insights and experiences were shared on the set up social media wall.

    Meno Lammers, founder of the PropTech for Good initiative in the Netherlands, collected a lot of rubbish from the roadside on the 6-kilometer route and thus gave the sustainability initiative its own “green stamp”. Others, on the other hand, used the Global Real Estate Run for their team building and were pleasantly surprised that the team spirit is still absolutely present despite the minimized exchange opportunities during the lockdowns. H&B Real Estate awaited the participating employees in Zurich with a spontaneous Slow Food aperitif and outdoor exchange. BuildingMinds, based in Berlin, used the participation for new employees to not only see their colleagues via virtual collaboration platforms, but also to get to know them personally in corona-compliant teams of two. PriceHubble was represented by 100 employees, friends and families in several countries – in Japan, Tunisia, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine and Singapore. Photos and videos were shared on a dedicated Slack channel, thus reawakening the international team spirit even in times of canceled business flights. However, many participants simply enjoyed the run for themselves, as a short break "to ventilate their heads" and to make room for new ideas.

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