July 2024 Edition

"Buck40" Innovative repositioning in Zurich-Altstetten in line with the DGNB Gold standard

UBS «Sima»

Immo Update 15 Jul 2024 5 min read

By Real Estate Switzerland team

Under the motto "Reuse, Reduce, Revaluate," a property from the 1960s has been turned into a modern commercial and office building as part of a full-scale renovation and expansion project. 60% of the office and commercial space has already been leased upon completion.

High visibility and recognition

Work at Buckhauserstrasse 40 in the center of Zurich-Altstetten started at the beginning of 2021. The winning project, which was decided in a full-service competition, consisted of adding an extra timber-framed story and building a new atrium flooded with light. The facade has been fully replaced and now boasts integrated sun protection and green facade elements. The complex-specific branding with characteristic lettering runs through the entire building and lends it a distinctive character.

Modern commercial and office building

The total commercial area covers 10,000 m² and comprises two basements, a ground floor, five upper floors, and a penthouse floor. The basements contain parking spaces, non-living areas, and storage space. The (raised) ground floor to the second floor house industrial and commercial spaces. Highly versatile service and office space has been created on the third to fifth floors and on the new penthouse floor. On the ground floor, the existing delivery ramps have been expanded accordingly so that deliveries can now be taken from all sides of the building.

Green outdoor space in an urban environment

Modern commercial and office building with innovative repositioning at Buckhauserstrasse 40 in Altstetten (ZH)

Outdoor space with green terraces spanning the building from the fourth floor upwards makes "Buck 40" a particularly inviting place to be. The terraces have been filled with green roof gardens on the fourth floor, an outdoor area under a pergola in front of the fifth floor, and a spacious roof terrace with a view over the hanging vertical gardens on the penthouse floor. Together they form a diversified exterior extension, provide shade, increase biodiversity, and have a cooling effect thanks to the greenery.

Building in and with the existing structure

The holistic sustainability concept with a focus on the lowest possible gray energy generation has been awarded DGNB Gold certification. It is the first renovation project in Switzerland to receive this label. For example, the concrete demolition material was reused as part of direct on-site recycling. Renewable materials were used for the addition of the timber-framed extra story. Furthermore, the photovoltaic system on the roof provides green electricity for the building's users.

More information on the DGNB (Deutsche Gesellschaft für nachhaltiges Bauen – German Sustainable Building Council).

Key Take-aways:

With an investment volume of CHF 49 million, "Buck40" offers an attractive opportunity for growth from an existing holding in the Greater Zurich area.
The renovation project underscores the strategic objectives of UBS «Sima» to unlock internal potential while – based on the holistic sustainability concept of "Buck40" – leaving a minimal ecological footprint.
Modern office and commercial building designed and positioned in view of changing trends in the commercial market.

Successful capital increase for UBS «Sima»

The capital increase of around CHF 213 million for UBS «Sima» was carried out from 2–13 May 2024 and has been successfully completed with all new units subscribed in full. The proceeds of the issue will be used for remodeled residential buildings in Zurich and Uster and to acquire a logistics property.