City of Zürich to Convert Unused Office Buildings Into 800 New Apartments

A new programme targeting vacant commercial space in Oerlikon and Altstetten aims to add much-needed housing stock without requiring new construction land.

The Stadtrat has approved a conversion programme that will transform underutilised office buildings in Zürich Oerlikon and Altstetten into approximately 800 residential apartments over the next four years. The programme targets seven identified buildings whose owners have agreed to participate in exchange for fast-tracked planning approval and reduced conversion fees.

City housing director Simone Brander said the approach addressed two problems simultaneously — the city's chronic housing shortage and the rising vacancy rate in older commercial office stock, which stands at 8.3% in the two districts. The first conversions are expected to be complete by late 2027, with rents capped under the city's affordable housing guidelines.