215 million Swiss francs of fresh capital, seven acquisitions, and yet no jump in returns. The Akara Diversity PK property fund maintained its investment return at 2.56 per cent in the first half of 2026 and expanded its portfolio to 3.32 billion Swiss

Swiss municipalities and towns cite finances as their greatest strategic concern. Spatial planning and staffing follow closely behind. For construction, development and municipal property, this means more conflicting priorities between investment, growth and limited scope for

Lausanne is sticking to a policy of large-scale property purchases. The 2025 budget documents once again include a budget of 200 million Swiss francs for the right of first refusal for the period 2027 to 2031. Whilst this measure can help secure affordable housing stock, it does not, as a rule,

In Thurgau, the building permit process is set to go digital. To this end, the cantonal government is putting forward amendments to the law and regulations for consultation until 11 December 2026. For local authorities, planners and building owners, this will involve new procedures, digital legal

A portfolio worth 181.2 million Swiss francs, total comprehensive income of 3.6 million Swiss francs, and now the next step. The sustainable property fund run by BLKB’s fund subsidiary plans to raise new equity capital in the fourth quarter of 2026 to finance further acquisitions and repay

18 percent of the Zurich city flats inspected exceed the income threshold, but under current law, any consequences will not be felt until later. This is precisely where two motions tabled on 19 August 2026 come in. They call for higher rents for higher earners and an end to the 15 per cent

The canton of Schwyz is proceeding with its landscape strategy without the controversial key areas. This removes a sensitive point of contention from the forthcoming revision of the structure plan, although the strategy is still intended to apply to planning and construction projects as well as to

UBS plans to merge its commercial property funds, Swissreal and Interswiss, by the end of 2026. The aim is to create a listed fund comprising around 140 properties and assets totalling 4.8 billion Swiss francs, whilst the final terms of the transaction are not expected to be finalised until

Borrowing costs in the US are rising again, and the effect is already evident in the market. The average interest rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages rose to 6.71 per cent at the start of September 2026. At the same time, the number of pending sales in August fell compared with the previous

Uri does not intend to introduce a canton-wide property tax on second homes following the abolition of the imputed rental value. Instead, each municipality is to be able to decide for itself whether it needs such a tax. Andermatt, in particular, is thus taking centre stage in the tax

Bern is driving forward the debate on a mandatory refurbishment requirement for inefficient older buildings. On 2 September 2026, the Federal Council approved a report outlining binding deadlines for achieving GEAK Class D via cantonal energy laws. Whether this will amount to more than just a

In Zurich’s 6th district, a pending case before the Federal Supreme Court is holding up a project for 42 social housing flats. The case touches on a sensitive issue in urban development, as affordable housing, mature trees and stricter tree protection measures clash directly on the same

Winter has long shaped the construction industry. Now, the summer heat is putting architecture and the real estate sector to a new test. Even sustainable wood-frame buildings require a precise interplay of location, materials, thermal mass, shading, ventilation, and

In 2027, Switzerland will not be traveling to Belgrade with a traditional exhibition. Instead, it aims to get people moving, facilitate encounters, and make the future a shared experience. The Swiss Pavilion is being designed by the Zurich-based creative agency JEFF in collaboration with Bellprat

Tomorrow, Wednesday, ineltec 2026 opens its doors at Messe Zürich. For two days, it will serve as a compact gathering place for the Swiss electrical industry. 209 exhibitors will showcase how electrical engineering, energy, lighting, mobility, and digitalization are converging in buildings. The

Development of a large residential estate on the Van Baerle site in Münchenstein is getting back on track. Five years after the referendum result – a ‘no’ vote by a margin of just ten votes – the site has been redeveloped, but a new neighbourhood plan is only just getting off the ground

France’s landlords in slow motion. A recent survey shows that one in three French people are bringing forward or postponing their property purchase for rental purposes, depending on the outcome of the 2027 presidential election. There is more to this than mere nervousness. Uncertainty surrounding

Swiss residential properties continue to dominate the investment portfolios of many institutional investors. However, a window of opportunity is reopening in the office and other commercial property sectors. Higher cash flow yields, lower valuations and tighter supply are suddenly making this

In Wädenswil, a housing estate is set to expand from 103 to more than 160 flats without the existing tenants having to move out. The plans include five extensions, refurbishment whilst the property remains occupied, and a start to construction in early 2028. It remains to be seen by how much rents

Geneva and Lausanne are at the heart of a planned capital increase of 75 million Swiss francs. The funds are intended to secure two commercial properties in prime locations in French-speaking Switzerland and to further increase the proportion of commercial property within a portfolio worth almost

In the new administrative building on Seetalplatz in Emmenbrücke, 12 out of 17 flats remain unlet for the time being. This slow start is affecting a site that is planned to become the new centre of Lucerne North and is set to bring together around 30 of the canton’s administrative offices by

1.3 billion Swiss francs for 47 properties, but not a single new flat has yet been built to realise the calculated development potential. Zurich’s acquisition drive is providing land reserves and development opportunities, but at the same time is creating funding shortfalls, follow-on costs and

Every year, there is a shortfall of thousands of flats in Switzerland, even though Bern is looking into ways to speed up the process. The root of the problem lies deeper. It is not the pace alone that is holding back housing construction, but an ever-more-complex web of regulations that the cantons

The German federal government is pushing ahead with plans for its own housing association. However, a new IMK study dated 31 August 2026 warns of significant legal and financial risks and argues that a credit-based housing stimulus scheme would be quicker, cheaper and more widely

Courdimanche is set to become a tourist magnet with three new theme parks costing 6 billion euros. However, the much-heralded Dragon Ball flagship attraction, of all things, has not yet secured full funding in legal terms, as, according to recent reports, approval from the Japanese rights holders

A 6.66 per cent interest rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages and a continuing shortage of supply are once again putting the brakes on the US housing market. Sales are falling, affordability is deteriorating further, and even new housing legislation is unlikely to provide any relief before

The canton of Neuchâtel is allocating a framework grant of 28 million Swiss francs for the period 2027 to 2031 to maintain its building stock. Whilst this unanimous decision eases the pressure on maintenance, it does not yet close the gap to the recommended level of value

Peach Property Group has reported a significant operational boost for the first half of 2026. Falling vacancy rates, higher like-for-like rents and the largely completed sale of around 2,000 units are stabilising both cash flow and the capital

China is radically overhauling its housing model. In future, developers will only receive deposits and mortgage funds from pre-sales once construction has been formally completed. For heavily indebted developers, this is yet another blow; for buyers, it is a long-overdue

Sydney is leading the way in Australia’s housing downturn. Falling prices, a slump in demand and the reform of the ‘negative gearing’ tax scheme are all putting pressure on the existing property market, project costing and developer financing. The boom is thus losing stability in precisely