Tag: Zofingen

  • Development site at Zofingen railway station gains a new perspective

    Development site at Zofingen railway station gains a new perspective

    Pensimo has acquired the western part of the former Swissprinter site near Zofingen railway station through its Turidomus real estate investment foundation. The 27,636 square metres of land was owned by Ringier Areal AG. Together with the town of Zofingen and the Basel-based architectural firm Christ & Gantenbein, Ringier Areal AG had developed a strategy for converting the site into a mixed residential and working neighbourhood and was looking for an investor.

    According to a press release issued by Pensimo, a study contract will be launched next year to clarify the urban planning ideas and sharpen up the housing offer. At present, over 300 flats are planned, which will be built from 2028 and could be ready for occupancy from 2030.

    Alexander Büchel, the portfolio manager responsible at Pensimo, describes the acquisition of this “unique and strategically ideal development site” as a special opportunity. “Zofingen has an attractive location quality, is a cantonal development centre and the micro-location of the site is excellent.”

    The five building plots of the Areal-West site are to have a diverse range of flats and be certified in accordance with the Swiss Sustainable Building Standard. “We want to build on the industrial past,” says Büchel, adding that the aim is to develop a “sustainable offering”.

    The Swissprinters printing plant, like Ringier Areal a joint subsidiary of Ringier and NZZ, was closed in September 2024. The entire site covers around 55,000 square metres in a central location. According to Ringier Areal AG, it is currently pressing ahead with a development project for the eastern part of the site with the historic main building.

  • Strategic milestone for Zofingen

    Strategic milestone for Zofingen

    The 27,636 square metre site near Zofingen railway station was home to the traditional Swissprinters print shop until 2024. Following its closure, Ringier Areal AG sold the western section to Turidomus, while the eastern section remains in Ringier’s ownership. In recent years, Ringier, together with the town of Zofingen and the Basel architectural firm Christ & Gantenbein, had already developed the strategic basis for the conversion. The development is now building on this.

    Diversity and sustainability in the centre
    The “Areal West” is a site of strategic importance. The location opposite the old town and directly behind the railway station offers ideal conditions for a new, urban residential district. Over 300 flats for different lifestyles and household sizes are to be built on five building plots. From compact flats to family flats.

    The project development is based on the Swiss Sustainable Building Standard. A climate-friendly neighbourhood square, green open spaces that reduce heat islands and photovoltaic systems are planned. District heating is also planned in order to keep the neighbourhood’s carbon footprint low from the outset.

    Study commission to specify
    A study commission is planned for 2026 to specify the urban integration and the specific design of the housing on offer. The aim is to create a lively neighbourhood that not only provides housing, but also creates a sense of community and identity. Depending on the process, construction could start from 2028, with first occupancy from 2030.

    Experience with transformations
    Reference projects such as the Ziegeleipark in Horw/Kriens, the Reitmen neighbourhood in Schlieren and Zwhatt in Regensdorf show that the Group understands complex transformation processes. With the “Areal West” in Zofingen, the group is continuing in this vein. The aim is to transform the industrial past into a future-proof, sustainable neighbourhood.

  • Expansion of 8,000 fibre optic connections planned by 2026

    Expansion of 8,000 fibre optic connections planned by 2026

    According to a press release,Swiss Fibre Net and the local energy and water supplier StWZ Energie will provide the population of Zofingen with almost 5,000 fibre optic connections by the end of the year. This figure is set to rise to 8,000 by the end of 2026.

    The two companies also announced that the fibre optic network will be opened up to enable customers to be supplied with a wide range of telecoms services from various providers. “Thanks to the collaboration with Swiss Fibre Net, Zofingen residents with access to StWZ fibre optics can benefit from the additional telecoms offerings from Sunrise and Salt,” said StWZ Managing Director Paul Marbach in a press release. The offers from the two telecoms providers are available immediately.

    According to Andreas Waber, CEO of Swiss Fibre Net, the fact that customers can choose from various telecoms providers is a must nowadays: “Only open networks guarantee customer-oriented competition. That is why we are committed to the principle of an open fibre optic network in cooperation with energy providers, cable network operators and municipalities.”

    Swiss Fibre Net AG is a joint venture between local energy suppliers and cable network operators in Switzerland. It connects the local fibre optic networks of its network partners to form the large-scale, homogeneous and open Swiss Fibre Net and offers this to nationally active telecoms providers for use.

  • StWZ Energie announces halfway point in smart meter rollout

    StWZ Energie announces halfway point in smart meter rollout

    StWZ Energie AG has been switching to smart electricity meters in its supply area since the beginning of 2022. The Aargau-based energy supplier has now installed more than 5,700 smart meters, equipping half of its electricity customers in Zofingen and Strengelbach with modern meters, StWZ Energie reported in a press release. A law stipulates that at least 80 percent of electricity meters in Switzerland must be smart meters by 2027.

    The intelligent meters serve to increase the efficiency of electricity consumption and at the same time simplify the billing process. Grid operators will find it easier to identify and smooth out peak loads. Customers benefit from the electronic measurement of consumption data. They can be viewed on the StWZ customer portal on the following day. This means, for example, that “electricity guzzlers in your own household can be identified”, writes StWZ Energie. There is also no need for on-site meter reading.