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13. March 2023

Practical Example «Hüsliweg»: Negotiations and preliminary work in real estate development

Every single construction project requires in-depth clarification sessions. Negotiations with neighbours and the authorities can often be complex in nature. It takes specialist expertise to conduct them successfully. This example of a replacement construction on the left bank of Lake Zurich shows just how high the hurdles can be before construction even begins – and how to overcome them.

The background
An older house that at first glance looks just like many others. With the help of an architect, a community of heirs checked what needed to be done to this very well-located old property. The semi-detached house is located on a hillside, with an overgrown garden and one half of the house in need of a lot of renovation. The property is very underused. The living space could be more than doubled if a new build were constructed. The plot has a lot of potential, meaning that selling the property is the obvious option for the community of heirs. Property One has expressed an interest in purchasing the plot. The purchase offer with an attractive price is subject to the condition that access be clarified for a replacement construction.

The checks
The first step in the acquisition involves a thorough review of the entire situation – and in this case, this is proving to be rather complex. To start with, the due-diligence check identifies an access problem. For a new build, the building authority favours a new entrance with access at the lower end of the plot. The access road needed for this would at least partially cross the plots of adjacent property owners.

The new build
After intensive clarification with the authorities and mutual agreement with all neighbours, a modern apartment building has been created, with seven owner-occupied apartments located near the centre of the village. All units have views of Lake Zurich, and some have very large outside spaces. With 4.5 to 6 rooms and net living areas of 108 to 154 m², the apartments have thoughtfully designed floor plans and a high-quality finish. The split-level architecture with offset floor levels offers a lot of privacy. Loading stations and load management for e-mobility were also prepared in the basement garage.

Implementation
In addition to the planning, carrying out the new build is one of the key services provided by Property One. The construction project is challenging due to the location and the confined space available. In terms of financing, Property One has been appointed to put together an optimum financing package. Finally, the tendering and marketing are carried out in-house. Six out of seven units can be sold off plan, and work can begin on the construction.

In summary
This example of a contemporary replacement construction on Lake Zurich shows that the politically desirable move towards high-density living can be a success as long as it creates added value for everyone involved. In this case, the former owners, who have also been granted a right of first refusal, benefit from the high land value, the neighbours from the improved access and the new owners from owning a home in a sought-after location with a view of the lake. When it comes to projects of this size, the competence of Property One is based on the expertise of a team that is on hand every single step of the way and that can offer everything from a one-stop shop.