The Avadis Investment Foundation employs around 15 professionals in the real estate investment field. Between them, they cover the full range of skills needed for professional real estate management. Find out from Alexander von Bieberstein what topics are currently occupying us in the area of construction and development and how we create value for investors.

What is it about your work in real estate that inspires you?

Real estate is the oldest, most long-term, capital-intensive and important form of investment known to man. Properties make up the cities in which we live. While in the past, people sought protection from the wind and weather, as well as stability and security for their families, today the focus is on sustainability, connectivity, participation and social compatibility, in addition to profitability and densification. Reconciling the conflicting interests of supervisory authorities, development partners, neighbours, municipal committees and juries as well as planners and construction companies with those of our investors is a tough challenge, both economically and culturally – a challenge that I find fascinating and fulfilling.

Which topics / projects are you particularly interested in at the moment?

The Wettingen Station District project, a forward-looking investment conveniently located in the beautiful Limmat Valley. After months of competitive bidding, optimisation and negotiation, we successfully submitted a building application for a project with over 150 apartments in March 2025. The project was even featured in the NZZ Real Estate Yearbook. At the same time, I am responsible for international projects at the AFIAA Investment Foundation, handle the repositioning of larger office properties and benefit from the international transfer of expertise.

If you could choose any property to invest in, what would it be?

Needless to say, I would choose the excellent project in Wettingen! I would also consider investing in international real estate. Worldwide, there are many promising opportunities to benefit from future upturns, currently at very affordable prices.

How does the Avadis Investment Foundation incorporate sustainability into its construction and renovation projects?

At the European level, sustainability is currently considered primarily in terms of energy. It goes without saying that our projects are certified according to high standards, such as SNBS or BREEAM Gold. However, as real estate portfolio managers with a conservative outlook, the traditional concept of sustainability is also important to us, given that tenants, investors and the environment benefit most from flexibility and a property’s suitability for subsequent economic use.