Construction work has been underway since August 2026. This was preceded by a design competition, which was concluded in 2022, and the planning and approval process, for which planning permission was granted in August 2026. The project in Wittenbach is therefore moving from the planning stage to the implementation stage.
Four blocks in a central location
Four four-storey blocks of flats are to be built, comprising a total of 62 rental flats. The plan is for a mix of 15 flats with 2.5 rooms, 22 units each with 3.5 and 4.5 rooms, and three flats with 5.5 rooms. The development is therefore aimed at households of various sizes and will strengthen the supply of rental flats near the railway station.
The investment volume amounts to around 36 million Swiss francs, including land acquisition. Letting is due to begin in autumn 2027, with occupancy scheduled for autumn 2028. For institutional owners, the project demonstrates that substantial investment in new rental accommodation continues in well-connected communities in Eastern Switzerland.
Green spaces, energy and mobility
The staggered building blocks open up to the west towards the Widenbach, giving all flats a direct connection to the green space. The plans also include façades made of regional spruce, as well as an energy supply system comprising heat pumps and photovoltaic panels on the roofs. The mobility provision comprises 62 car parking spaces, eight motorbike spaces and 233 bicycle parking spaces, 201 of which are in dedicated bicycle storage areas.
For the implementation, the client is relying on an eastern Swiss project team, with Itten Brechbühl responsible for the architecture and Forol for general planning and turnkey contracting. The Aurora Investment Foundation had already described the scheme as a key part of its project pipeline. With the start of construction, this pipeline entry is now becoming a real residential development with foreseeable market impact.
