1. Fire safety: Unavoidable individual responsibility

Dr. Roland Bärtschi (Baertschi Partners) reminded attendees of a fundamental principle: the owner of the property is primarily responsible for fire safety. Official inspections do not constitute a legal shield. A prioritized review of the real estate portfolio is essential in order to eliminate "death traps" – such as illegal and highly flammable acoustic panels or inadequate escape routes.

2. Swiss markets in 2026: "A stable boat" on rough seas

Mr. Alrick Amann (FPRE) painted a nuanced picture of the outlook for 2026.

• Economic outlook: Moderate growth (0.9%), low inflation (0.5%) and a key interest rate of 0%, maintained by the Swiss National Bank. While the domestic economy remains robust, external risks (geopolitics, EU economy) are causing turbulence.
• Residential real estate: Sustained high demand meets limited supply with a vacancy rate of 1%. The market for multi-family homes remains attractive.
• Office & retail: High demand for modern and sustainable real estate in city centers increases pressure on older stock. Retail benefits from stable private consumption.
• Conclusion: The stable Swiss economy is operating in a turbulent global environment.

3. Climate challenge: Rethinking land use for true sustainability

Prof. Philippe Thalmann warned and called for a paradigm shift.

• Our goal: to completely eliminate fossil fuels from existing buildings by 2050.
• Problem: Die aktuelle Sanierungsquote (<1 %) ist bei Weitem unzureichend. Sie muss auf über 2 % steigen – in einem Umfeld, in dem die „Low-Hanging Fruits“ bereits geerntet sind und der Branche Fachkräfte fehlen.
• solution: Radically increasing the efficiency of building use—the key to a truly circular economy.
  • Sharing spaces (underoccupied apartments, communal areas, mixed use)
  • Support larger households
  • Prioritize renovations in a targeted manner and abandon buildings or neighborhoods with serious defects in order to pool resources.
  • Vision: Creating a cycle of usable space—not just a cycle of materials.

Music – Leadership and Harmony: Lessons from an Orchestra

Mr. Sergey Ostrovsky, solo violinist and director of the Geneva Symphony Ensemble, shared an inspiring metaphor. Excellence, closeness, modularity, and sharing common values (harmony, tolerance, humanity) form the foundation of his orchestra—and these values also apply to our FIABCI community. Music is a universal language; in the real estate industry, it is mathematics and professional expertise.

FIABCI SWITZERLAND reinvents itself:

The "ROAD 28" vision – On the way to a unique real estate business club

• Vision: An elite network for decision-makers, visionary experts, entrepreneurs, and opinion leaders—with a focus on high-quality connections and exchanges with high added value.
• roadmap:
  • 2026: Foundation, leadership, and professionalism
  • 2027: Sharpening our profile, value, and visibility
  • 2028: Establishment as a reference and business club with a human touch – with over 150 committed members
• Ambition: To be the club where we not only make contacts, but also make a tangible contribution to the future of the real estate industry.

Next dates in 2026: Be there!

• MIPIM 2026 in Cannes (France) – March 9–13
• Business lunch in Zug (Switzerland) – April 30
• General Assembly in Bern during EXPO BERN – May 29
• FIABCI World Real Estate Congress in Vienna (Austria) – June 8–12. A strong Swiss delegation will be on site to intensify exchanges in the DACH region.

We are FIABCI SUISSE

More than a network—we are a community shaping the future of the industry!