
Projects in Lausanne are driving the forecast upward
Higher rental income, a successful sale in Lausanne, and progress on two development projects are giving Epic Suisse more leeway. The real estate group is raising its forecast for 2026, even though the reported vacancy rate has risen significantly due to new space coming

Architectural Culture as a Driver of Innovation
A campus is not a showcase. It is a hub for knowledge, research, and interaction. That is precisely why the new historic preservation designation for the first construction phase of the EPFL in Lausanne is noteworthy. It not only protects the concrete, the grid layout, and the spaces, but also

Lausanne puts the brakes on a replacement development in the upmarket residential area
In Lausanne, a housing project comprising 19 flats has been blocked on grounds relating to listed buildings and the character of the area. The city has refused to allow the demolition of two villas in the Les Fleurettes neighbourhood, thereby prioritising the protection of a sensitive ensemble of

Valais Blocks Housing Cooperatives Despite Shortage
In Valais, the vacancy rate is falling, but cooperative housing construction remains at a standstill. While a project for ten families in Saillon is stuck in the approval process, the canton still lacks a clear legal framework that actively safeguards and facilitates such

Rental market stagnates, cantons slip into the red
In Switzerland, asking rents remained virtually unchanged in July 2026, although they fell in 15 cantons. The national index remained at 134 points. This reflects a noticeable summer lull, whilst the year-on-year comparison, at plus 2.4 per cent, still does not indicate any easing of price

Geneva’s environmental labels are losing their impact on building sites
In Geneva, new neighbourhoods and buildings are increasingly being awarded green certifications. Yet it is precisely at the stage where materials are used and emissions are generated that oversight remains lax. This is increasing the pressure on developers, planners and authorities to finally carry

Affordable holiday flats remain scarce in the Alps
Evolène and Goms top the list of the most affordable Alpine destinations analysed for 2026. According to UBS, prices for holiday homes there stand at 6,600 and 6,700 Swiss francs per square metre. At the same time, prices for second homes in the Alps continued to rise across Switzerland in 2025,

Geneva Rent Hike Case Ends Before the Federal Supreme Court
In Geneva, a landlord failed in his attempt to have a rent—which had quadrupled following unauthorized renovations—recognized as a permissible luxury rent. The Federal Supreme Court upheld the order to repay 193,609 francs and pay a fine of 32,000

Geneva authorities are insisting on clear rules
The USPI Geneva has accompanied its 2025 annual report with a clear call to action for policymakers and the administration. The association highlights 320,000 properties under management, 650 million Swiss francs in construction investment, and increasing pressure on refurbishment, new-build


Geneva is allocating 1.25 billion for 300 refurbishment projects
The Canton of Geneva plans to renovate around 300 particularly energy-intensive public buildings by 2038. The programme is allocating 1.25 billion Swiss francs to those properties that account for the lion’s share of building-related emissions, thereby increasing the pressure to renovate public

Zurich and Lausanne are strengthening their tech profiles
According to the Swiss Deep Tech Report 2026, 63 per cent of Swiss venture capital is channelled into deep tech. For Zurich, Lausanne and Basel, this reinforces their role as centres for research and business and increases the pressure on space, talent and growth

Realignment of a former weapons range takes shape
The canton of Vaud can begin planning for the future police academy on the Moudon weapons range, as the canton and the federal government have signed a letter of intent to cede the site. The possibility of turning the site into an interdisciplinary training center is now also being


La Rasude Lausanne
The city of Lausanne is publishing the plan for the La Rasude district, marking the start of the next stage of one of its most important transformation projects. A new part of the city is to be created in the currently underused, heavily sealed area directly next to the train station, combining



Geneva location under pressure
The international presence in Geneva is at a turning point. Global shifts, digital upheavals and financial uncertainties are challenging the resilience of the location. But this is precisely where the potential for a strategic realignment of real estate, infrastructure and positioning

Parliament approves new IOM headquarters in Geneva
Despite the announced job cuts, the Swiss parliament is supporting the demolition and new construction of the IOM headquarters in Geneva with an interest-free loan of CHF 44.7 million. The aim is to strengthen Geneva as an international location in the long term and to make the infrastructure for

More inflows to Valais, losses in Zurich and Vaud
Almost 38,000 companies relocated within Switzerland in 2024. In the cantonal competition, Valais recorded the largest net increase in companies, followed by Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Fribourg. Zurich, Vaud and Lucerne lost the most, according to a survey by CRIF

Historic spa centres in the canton of Vaud sustainably renovated
The canton of Vaud has successfully completed the renovation of five historic spa buildings, thereby setting an example for the preservation of cultural heritage while at the same time adapting to modern sustainability standards. The final stage of this extensive renovation programme has been

New data centre in Geneva feeds waste heat into the district heating network
Cloud provider INFOMANIAK has put a new data centre into operation in Geneva. It converts 100 per cent of waste heat into heating energy. The facility thus sets new standards in energy recovery. Due to its underground location, there is no negative impact on the cityscape or the

Vaud economy between recovery and uncertainty
After two years of weak growth, economic experts are forecasting an economic recovery for the canton of Vaud. The Vaud Economic Commission expects gross domestic product to grow by 1.8% in 2025 and to increase to 1.9% in the following year. Nevertheless, global uncertainties are clouding the

New projects for decarbonisation of the gas industry to start in 2025
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) and Gaznat are expanding their collaboration. They are planning three calls for tenders for research and development projects in the field of clean gas supply. Gaznat is providing CHF 5 million over seven



New grid platform facilitates self-consumption of solar power and battery storage
The Valais start-up Evaarist is launching the autarcie.ch network platform for more self-sufficiency in your own solar power production. Battery packs are designed to improve the self-consumption of electricity from rooftop solar

Switzerland’s first low-pressure turbine commissioned in Martigny-Bourg
Forces Motrices de Martigny-Bourg (FMMB) has commissioned the first Swiss low-pressure turbine. It can generate 850,000 kilowatt hours of electricity in the existing run-of-river power plant in addition to the three existing production

