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No fewer than three contract extensions of 15 years each were realised in the portfolio of SF Urban Properties Ltd, more precisely in the property at Zeltweg 67 in Zurich.

The SF Commercial Properties Fund has realised a number of sustainability projects. In St. Gallen, the facade, windows and roof were partially renovated, and the oil heating in Lyss and St. Gallen was replaced by district heating. In addition, a photovoltaic system was put into operation in St. Gallen, while the use of roof space for another system is being examined in Langenthal.

The SF Retail Properties Fund is expanding its portfolio and has acquired two retail properties in Oftringen AG at Nordstrasse 16/18. The attractive tenant structure with Lidl, Fressnapf, KFC, PureGym and Polo Motorrad is an ideal fit for the portfolio strategy. The two buildings are located directly next to the A1 motorway exit in the attractive retail cluster of Oftringen AG. The complex has 44 outdoor parking spaces and 101 car parking spaces, making it easily accessible for customers.

Maintaining the existing tenant base provides the basis for high tenant satisfaction and sustainable property management. A partnership-based relationship enables problems and new needs to be recognised at an early stage and constructive solutions to be found. In the commercial real estate segment, this aspect is particularly important and optimises the results for all parties involved.

8 November 2024 was a day of high volatility in the Swiss indirect real estate market, triggered by UBS's strategic announcement the day before. Following the acquisition of Credit Suisse Funds AG in April 2024, UBS Fund Management (Switzerland) AG, which now manages 14 Swiss real estate funds, presented its plan to merge certain funds for the period from 2025 to 2027.

The SF Sustainable Property Fund invests in real estate assets and projects throughout Switzerland. The main focus of the real estate fund is on residential use. The fund systematically and gradually optimises properties regarding defined sustainability criteria (ESG) during the holding period.

The SF Commercial Properties Fund further improved the quality of its portfolio by extending leases for a total of 4,000 square meters in the first half of 2024, thus minimising the vacancy risk. The SF Commercial Properties Fund has an attractive portfolio thanks to stable and index-linked letting.

SF Urban Properties Ltd invests in investment properties and condominium project developments. The sale of condominium projects generates additional income, which is reinvested in the existing investment portfolio on the one hand and enables the company to distribute dividends on the other. The company is currently realizing four condominium projects, including the MINERVA project in Zurich.

Four properties with a market value of CHF 87.13 million were already integrated in the first half of the year. This growth enabled the Zurich region to be increased to 31% in line with the strategy. Further properties with a volume of CHF 70.0 million have been linked up and will be integrated into the investment group in the second half of the year.

Thanks to this issue, the fund received new money amounting to the maximum gross amount of CHF 40.9 million. The new money from the additional shares will be used for the further expansion of the real estate portfolio, to develop the potential of existing properties, to repay interest-bearing debt and for new acquisitions.

On September 5, 2024, Bruno Kurz presented three theses under the moderation of the architecture magazine Hochparterre on the topic of obstacle-free, adaptable housing as a possible new standard for residential construction. Why has this concept, which has been around for over 30 years, not gained universal acceptance in the planning world since then? One answer that has emerged is that the concept is often reduced to the SIA 500 standard.

Launching new investment vehicles is difficult in the current environment. However, good ideas with an attractive business case and an interesting risk/return structure still have good chances.