Mélanie Facchinetti, Senior Project Manager at Avadis, is responsible for construction projects in the Romandy part of Switzerland. In this interview, she explains the importance of long-term thinking in property development, the challenges facing construction projects today and the critical role a local presence plays in achieving success.
Mélanie Facchinetti, Senior Project Manager
What is it that intrigues you about property development?
I am particularly inspired by the way an idea can gradually be transformed into a real place that shapes people’s lives – whether it is a place to live, work or meet. As well as delivering a high quality of life for residents and users, good architecture and careful planning also create long-term value and stable returns for our investors. Property development brings together creativity, technology, economics and social responsibility. Every project is unique and requires a long-term perspective since the results will be around for decades.
What projects are you currently working on?
I am currently working on about ten projects in the area between Lausanne and Geneva. They are all at various stages of completion. One of the largest is a renovation and extension project in Geneva. We plan to renovate about 210 existing flats and add an additional storey to six buildings in order to create 56 new flats. This project will help to provide some much-needed housing in the Geneva region and contribute to the desired densification. We are currently in the process of obtaining planning permission for the project.
Firmly established in the Romandy real estate market
The Avadis Investment Foundation manages assets in excess of CHF 5 billion in the Swiss real estate segment. Residential and commercial properties in the French-speaking cantons account for around CHF 1.5 billion of this total. The properties in Romandy are managed by a real estate team in Lausanne.
What are the main challenges involved in construction projects?
Key challenges include complex approval procedures, differing cantonal and municipal regulations and frequent objections during the planning process. Rising construction costs, a shortage of skilled workers and high sustainability and energy efficiency standards also play a significant role. In addition, restrictive rent protection laws can make it difficult to develop projects on a cost-effective basis.
How crucial is local presence during construction projects?
Maintaining a local presence is essential for effective coordination with authorities, contractors, partners and residents while also fostering trust. It enables to identify needs at an early stage. Construction projects always involve interaction between people. Construction projects inherently involve human interaction, and experience shows that trust, competence, and strong collaboration between all parties are often decisive for a project’s success. Teams perform best when they are regularly on site, meet in person, and demonstrate active engagement throughout the project.
Benefit from the Avadis Investment Foundation’s non-cash contribution scheme
The real estate investment groups of the Avadis Investment Foundation stand out for their stable performance, low costs and high-quality locations and properties. Non-cash contributions can be made to any of the vehicles.
