How Andermatt Swiss Alps turns alpine living into a unique investment opportunity

How would you describe what you do to someone you’re meeting for the first time?

I facilitate the experience of Alpine living at Andermatt, a sustainable destination that harmoniously blends nature with the built environment. Located just 1.5 hours from Zurich in the serene Ursen Valley, Andermatt offers bespoke real estate, luxury hotels, skiing, golf, a concert hall, and world-class F&B offerings. My role is to connect like-minded individuals who’d like to own a piece of the Swiss alpine lifestyle and be a part of this thriving international community.

Why is your work essential to the world today?

Lifestyle property investments go beyond the financial benefits. Usually, a destination like Andermatt, which welcomes international buyers and is conveniently close to major cities, offers opportunities for capital appreciation and rental income.

However, owning an alpine property in Switzerland is more than just dollars and cents. It is like owning a personal retreat in the mountains. Our owners forge a deep connection with the mountains, returning from each visit recharged and revitalised. That, in turn, allows them to be more mindful in their decision-making, hopefully creating a more mindful and positive world. 

What do people most misunderstand about what the work you do aims to achieve?

Many assume I'm dealing with typical buy-to-let, pure investment properties in urban cities, so they focus solely on yields and financial metrics. However, they often overlook the emotional benefits of having an alpine home. Thanks to Covid, this perspective has shifted. People are now pursuing lifestyle homes in natural surroundings — places they can enjoy and retreat to if faced with another global health crisis.

How have changing market conditions and evolving customer expectations influenced your approach to your work?

The industry is a little more challenging post-Covid due to weaker consumer markets and higher interest rates. Though Swiss interest rates remained low, our challenge is the strength of the Swiss franc. Switzerland is the world’s haven; regardless of what’s happening around the globe, people with wealth like to own CHF. As a result, CHF has always been strong against other currencies and is likely to remain strong in the foreseeable future.

Though the strength of CHF is a challenge, it is also why properties in Switzerland are highly coveted. Our clients see their Andermatt investment as buying a piece of haven to use as a personal sanctuary and a hedge against the world’s instability. After Covid-19, many people, especially those living in major Asian cities, seek a plan B to avoid another locked-down situation. 

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What would sustainability look like in the industry that you occupy?

To truly achieve sustainability, it must be integrated from the very outset of master plan-level planning. At Andermatt, our core objective was to design a new village that blends into the existing environment, ensuring that the beauty of the Ursern valley can be enjoyed for generations to come.

This vision requires an infrastructure that supports sustainable living. Thus, we source energy from a station in Göschenen that provides carbon-neutral power to all buildings in the village. Next, these buildings must be built to a green standard, i.e., the Minergie building standards, to optimise energy consumption without compromising modern comforts.

Most importantly, the success of these sustainable practices also depends on the buy-in from the community. While some clients expect air conditioning in their homes, our Minergie requirements preclude such installations. Thankfully, given Andermatt's elevation of nearly 1,500m, the cooler climate naturally diminishes the need for air conditioning.

This helps align our clients' expectations with our sustainable ethos. This concept may not work for many city properties. This is probably why we attract many clients from warmer climates who are drawn to our lifestyle and environmental values.

What would success in the work you do look like?

I take pride in the thriving community of like-minded people in Andermatt. These are people who embrace the vision of alpine living. Despite coming from diverse backgrounds, they tend to share the common traits of successful individuals: a love for nature and the outdoors, respect for the environment, and a preference for understated luxury. 

I started the Asia markets some years ago. So, seeing the growth of our Asian-based owner community at Andermatt has been incredibly rewarding. This group has integrated nicely with our owners from Switzerland and other countries. It is a melting pot now in Andermatt, where many called it their second home.

What three things would make your bigger work goals easier to achieve today?

To achieve my bigger work goals today, a shift in mindset regarding travel distance would be beneficial; many see the 1.5-hour journey from Zurich airport as a drawback, but embracing it as part of an exclusive, retreat-like experience adds value upon arrival. Embracing mindfulness is also crucial; in a fast-paced world, taking the time to slow down, explore deeply, and fully breathe in a place’s essence — like the beauty of Andermatt — enriches the experience beyond quick visits.

Lastly, learning to enjoy life, as the Swiss do, by balancing hard work with family time and outdoor activities has shown me the importance of disconnecting without guilt, embracing hobbies, and fully engaging with the world around us.