Geneva: First users move into Espace Tourbillon

Swiss Prime Site Immobilien laid the foundation stone for the major Espace Tourbillon project at Chemin du Tourbillon 7 in Plan-les-Ouates (GE) in June 2018. The construction site, where almost 1,900 people will work over a period of 54 months, remains one of the largest in Geneva. Now, after just under two and a half years, the five planned buildings are in place and the first companies - Hilderbrand & Cie, Norba, Niru Group, Optitool and Rolf Hugli - can move into their premises in Building A. Buildings C and D were already sold in 2017 to the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, which brings together there the social Geneva institutions Pro, Partage, Clair Bois, Trajets and the Centre Social Protestant.

In total, Espace Tourbillon consists of five buildings, each with six floors and a total of 95,000 sqm of space for rent or purchase. According to Swiss Prime Site Immobilien, 45,000 sqm of rental space is still available in units ranging from 200 sqm to 12,000 sqm; SPG Intercity Genève is in charge of marketing.

The site has an underground logistics station that optimises the flow of goods between the buildings, Swiss Prime Site added. The basement levels are accessible for lorries of up to 40 tonnes and thus meet the requirements of industrial companies. With a useful height of over 4.5 metres, functional and safe logistics handling is possible; all floor areas are accessible via freight elevators.

The buildings in the Espace Tourbillon are placed around a central tree-lined avenue with outdoor spaces reserved exclusively for pedestrians. Local businesses such as a supermarket, various food outlets and a gym will be located on the ground floor in high arcades with large bay windows. Espace Tourbillon would be easily accessible by both car and public transport. At the beginning of 2022, tram line 15 (ZIPLO) will stop directly in front of the buildings.

According to Swiss Prime Site Immobilien, 21% of the portfolio is invested in Geneva. In addition to Espace Tourbillon, the real estate company is realising other projects in the commercial property market there, including Alto Pont-Rouge in particular. (ah)