The Klybeck site: Sustainable Investment to transform a district

From Industrial Site to Mixed-Use District

Once an industrial site, the Klybeck area aims to convert a brownfield into a district integrated into the urban fabric. “Once the transformation is complete, the space will be returned to the residents, with the creation of over 7,500 jobs and homes for 8,500 new inhabitants,” says Jürgen Friedrichs. New living and working spaces are planned, along with green and public areas. “This ambitious project also includes addressing pollution inherited from over a century of chemical industry,” he adds.
Since the 1870s, the site hosted paint factories before becoming a pillar of Basel’s chemical industry. Today, a new chapter begins for this iconic location, driven by a mixed-use program. “We aim to offer a diversity of housing, retail, and office spaces to create a vibrant and inclusive neighborhood where people can work, live, and enjoy themselves,” explains Jürgen Friedrichs.

Sustainability as a Guiding Principle

“Swiss Life pursues sustainability goals, one of which is to reduce the carbon intensity of its real estate portfolio. That’s where Climatch comes in—a subsidiary of Swiss Life Asset Managers with the aim to support the decarbonization of the European real estate sector,” says Jürgen Friedrichs. This initiative is part of a transition plan aligned with the Paris Agreement. The concept on the Klybeck site relies on a systemic approach to energy supply from the planning phase:

• Using the Rhine as an energy source: A plant called Rhein-Zentrale will capture heat from the river via thermal exchangers and inject it into an energy network.
• Seasonal geothermal energy: Fields of geothermal probes will store excess heat in summer and release it in winter. Conversely, ground coolness will be used to cool buildings in summer, with heat recovery for winter.
• Local solar production: Photovoltaic installations are planned on rooftops and facades.
• Smart infrastructure: The district will have its own medium and low-voltage electrical network, as well as a fiber-optic network, enabling intelligent energy flow management and sectorization between electricity, heat, and cooling.
• Sustainable mobility: The project includes solutions for soft (pedestrian, bicycle) and electric mobility, with charging stations and shared services.

More broadly, the project is also planned to include sustainable water management systems, waste reduction measures, and encourage the use of low-impact materials. “All housing units shall be certified according to sustainable construction standards. By combining local resources, photovoltaic electricity, and a smart network, the entire district can be powered with virtually CO₂-free energy,” explains Jürgen Friedrichs. “We’re looking for companies and users on the site who align with this sustainable approach and our sustainability goals,” he adds.

First SNBS-Certified District in Switzerland

This approach has been recognized by the Swiss Sustainable Building Standard (SNBS), also used in Germany. Beyond energy performance, this framework reflects a commitment to enhancing biodiversity by integrating green spaces and ecological corridors.

“This standard goes beyond an energy label. It also integrates social, economic, and environmental dimensions”, says Jürgen Friedrichs. “Thanks to this label, we have a relevant tool and an effective measurement system to verify whether we’re meeting our goals.”

Social Diversity and Inclusion

Social diversity is an important factor of the Klybeck project. “About one-third of the apartments will be affordable housing,” says Jürgen Friedrichs. More broadly, this ambition is reflected in a residential offering designed to mirror the diversity of society: affordable housing, standard housing, and condominiums. The district aims to welcome all age groups, with infrastructure suited for children (primary school, daycare), families, and the elderly. “We want to create a lively environment, a dynamic space in the city,” he adds. This inclusive approach reinforces the campus’s mission to become a balanced, accessible, and intergenerational living space.

Stakeholder Engagement and Sustainable Assets

“As asset managers, our approach is to invest in and finance sustainable real estate projects, which involves a participatory process with all stakeholders,” explains Jürgen Friedrichs. Accordingly, the project development process includes public consultations and participatory workshops to consider the needs of future users and residents.
The sustainable approach is reinforced by the longevity of the buildings, which generates more stable rental income over the long term. This is especially meaningful in the context of the Klybeck site, which inherits buildings from various eras and styles. These buildings will once again be transformed to evolve with the times. “We’re not looking to maximize short-term value, but rather to build a solid foundation so that these properties are still rented for many years to come”, Jürgen Friedrichs concludes.

Real Estate as long-term investment in Swiss Life’s strategy

At Swiss Life, real estate is naturally viewed as a long-term investment, in line with its pension commitments. “Real estate is an important investment for Swiss Life on behalf of our policyholders, whose funds we invest over many decades. We’re therefore more focused on sustainable and continuous rental income than on quick returns,” explains Jürgen Friedrichs. The Klybeck project, due to its scale and strategic location in Basel, fits perfectly into this philosophy. “We believe this project will provide us with a stable source of rental income, consistent with our sustainable investment strategy,” he notes. As a long-term investor, Swiss Life is one of the few players capable of carrying such a complex project over several decades, with the perseverance needed to navigate all stages of urban development.

Focus on Campus Klybeck: a first opening that sets the tone

The Klybeck site is undergoing a major transformation, and with Campus Klybeck, a part has already opened its doors to cooperations and businesses. This new space hosts a wide range of activities, projects and initiatives, ranging from creative industries to research, sports and culture. The campus also offers coworking spaces and ready-to-use laboratories. Campus Klybeck stands for a style of urban development in which innovation, togetherness and sustainability are lived practice.

The entire Klybeck district will be developed by Swiss Life, Rhystadt AG, and the Canton of Basel-Stadt, the three planning partners.

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