"The Sulzer site must become greener"

Günter Heuberger manages Siska, one of Winterthur's largest real estate companies. He is currently planning a wooden high-rise building near the train station and is investing in the conversion of Hall 53 on the Sulzer site. In this interview, he explains why numbers are not the only thing that matters to him and why he sees a need for action on transport issues in Winterthur.

Mr. Heuberger, it was recently announced that your company, Siska, is financing the conversion of Hall 53 on the Sulzer site. Great news for Winterthur. However, the search for an investor for this major project took two years. Why did it take so long?
Hall 53 is challenging to convert because it is in a poor condition. We were already thinking about an investment two years ago, but together with other Winterthur investors, similar to the Win4 project on Deutweg. But at the time, we were told that we were relying on a single investor. That was the end of the matter for us. A quarter of a year ago, the phone rang again: the major external investor had backed out. That didn't surprise me. This project needs someone with a Winterthur spirit.

Winterthur spirit? Why?
A lot is predetermined on the Sulzer site. You also have to accept the building rights as a prerequisite. There are several factors that can quickly put a timetable into perspective or delay the planning. Something like this only works with staying power - and passion.

Günter Heuberger believes that Hall 53 needs an investor with a Winterthur spirit.

Have there already been any firm commitments from tenants?
No, but talks are progressing.

How much will Hall 53 cost?
Here, too, it would be dubious to give a figure.

Siska has already financed the neighboring Hall 52. A new building into which the ZHAW Department of Health moved just under a year ago. Do you particularly like the Sulzer site?
Firstly, we like Implenia's development concept. Secondly, we sense a high level of commitment from the city. These are two good prerequisites: a project developer with a strategy and the public sector with a clear commitment. But there are also negative points...

Which one?
If I want to get my step count up on a working day, I often take a walk through the area. I notice how much old concrete and new asphalt dominate the area. There is no greenery. I see gravel and at most a few small trees. I would do things differently if I could. The Sulzer site needs to be greener, with real, large trees and water features. We will use our position as co-owner of Hall 52 and developer of Hall 53 to strive for this.

"A building owner must be interested in making the surroundings climate-friendly too."

So you also want to shape the cityscape with your investments?
I would say: help shape it. This also applies to the urban climate; we need more green spaces, more trees. The city and canton are already active in this regard, the canton also wants to adapt the planning laws in this direction...

You think that's good? Many homeowners are critical of it...
Yes, I welcome that. A building owner must be interested in making their surroundings climate-friendly too.

Siska used to be known for functional, yield-oriented new buildings, such as the "Banana", where we are having this conversation. Now you are planning a timber high-rise and a complex building in a listed building. A new corporate policy?
I used to be on the Siska Board of Directors and have attended many meetings here at this table. My observation, briefly summarized: Siska used to see itself as a financial company that also owned real estate. It was clear that the primary objective was to keep the figures right - and they always had to increase. My parents attached great importance to this and the operational management lived up to it, even overstretching it over time. To keep the figures rising, my parents' private real estate companies were merged into Siska. The maintenance of the properties was neglected. When I took over the company in full in 2014, we needed a fresh start. Today, we clearly see ourselves as a real estate company. In the meantime, we have also renovated many properties and have completed just over half of the CHF 300 million renovation program.

"Siska used to see itself as a financial company that also owned real estate. The primary goal was to increase the figures."

2014? Hasn't the Siska been in her possession since 2009?
It's like this. At the time, my father called me and said: "You, we have an appointment with the notary in two days. When I asked him what it was all about, he explained: You'll see, it's nothing serious. And then he signed the company over to me. However, I only took over operations in 2014, when there was no other option due to the behavior of the managing director.

"The biggest players in Winterthur are national real estate companies. The locals only follow in the next ranks."

Your father, company founder Robert Heuberger, passed away in January. Our heartfelt condolences. What has changed for you with this loss?
We had dinner with him once a week. I am now missing an important reference person, a contact person. However, these meetings were less and less about business matters.

Is the division of the estate with your two siblings already legally binding?
No, it's not that quick.

Your father brought the "Club of Rome" to Winterthur. Will you continue your involvement with this famous futurology organization?
Surprisingly, my father gave me a lot of freedom after handing over the business. But two points were always clear: firstly, my work and secondly, my commitment to the Club of Rome. That's why our foundation will continue to support this organization.

Speaking of future research: as one of the city's major real estate players, you know the Winterthur real estate market inside out. What real estate trends do you see for Winterthur as a location?
First of all, I would like to say this: The biggest players in Winterthur are also the national companies such as SwissLife or the real estate companies PSP or Swiss Prime Site. The local players, such as the Stefanini Foundation or us at Siska, only follow in second place. From our point of view, the Zurich-Airport-Winterthur triangle is an excellent real estate market with good momentum.

"A streetcar has already been considered, but it could also be an elevated train for all I care."

Last year, many office buildings were empty and employees were working from home. Is that why you are noticing a change in the real estate market?
We are noticing that larger apartments are in greater demand. The fact that demand for office properties and in shopping centers has fallen is reflected in the more than 100 dossiers from business tenants who have concerns. And we are seeing significant losses in hotels.

Bettina Stefanini, the second major real estate owner in Winterthur, also recently had a successor. How often do you meet with her?
We know each other and are in contact. We also have a similar task: after the founding generation, we have to continue to run our organizations and ensure their continued existence. I also already knew Bruno Stefanini. I'll never forget how he once invited me as an officer to his Brestenberg Castle to show me his military collection, including tanks.

"In the past, the city presidents would sometimes call my father and say: 'You, there's still money missing for this event or that festival...'"

Like Bruno Stefanini, your father also set up a foundation, the Robert and Ruth Heuberger Foundation. What does the future look like?
My wife Petra is the president of the foundation. There has also been a generational change: we are committed to the Club of Rome and numerous smaller organizations, especially foundations that support children. What we no longer support are individual occasional requests. In the past, city presidents would sometimes call my father and say: "You, there's still money missing for this event or that festival. My father would ask: How much is it? The mayors would say the amount and my father would reply: "You don't have to keep phoning around. Those days are over.

You are very involved in Winterthur. But your favorite scarf, which you are often seen wearing in the city, is one of a foreign sports club. Why is that?
On a trip through Germany, I happened to attend a Schalke 04 training session with our son, and we liked it so much that we are still fans to this day - and will remain so even after relegation from the Bundesliga. The Ruhr area fascinates me anyway, and its industrial history also reminds me of Winterthur.

Finally, what is your tip for an excursion in the city or region to switch off from time to time?
As I mentioned before, I make sure I walk 11,000 steps every day. To achieve this, I often set off from our apartment in Oberwinterthur in the evening. From the Goldenbergweg - which, by the way, the city built itself in the 1980s, using its own funds without donations! - you have a beautiful view of Winterthur's harmonious cityscape, which is characterized by lots of greenery.

Catherine Zimpfer and Jakob Bächtold