Schilthorn: New Staff Accommodation In Murren As Response To Housing Shortage

The completion of a new Schilthornbahn AG staff house in Mürren is planned for the end of 2025. With the 13 additional residential units, the company is responding to the lack of affordable housing for staff.

Schilthornbahn AG currently rents out 43 residential units, but the development of a comprehensive real estate concept has resulted in a particular urgency: the expansion and new construction of staff apartments. Affordable housing for staff is scarce and the shortage is noticeable. For new employees who live far away, the fact of whether or not a rental apartment is available is often a decisive criterion that decides whether they take up a job or withdraw their application. In recent years it has become increasingly clear that not all employees could be offered an apartment. With the new cable car in 365-day operation, the need for apartments will increase even further. "As in other booming tourist destinations across Switzerland, the decisive factor for all railway and catering companies in the future will be whether they can offer internal housing," confirms Simon Sauter, Head of Building Management & Construction Projects. "This will set the course for a successful business and personnel policy," Sauter is certain.

The answer: a new staff house

For this reason, the tourism company is now building the new staff house in Mürren at the former site of the "Felsli" chalet. Demolition has already begun and excavation and construction installations will be carried out this year. "The architecture is simple and functional," says Sauter. The ground floor will be built using solid construction and the upper floor and the attic will be made of prefabricated wooden elements. "These construction forms enable a short construction time through prefabrication, rapid drying and low bulk densities for transport and handling," explains the expert. The planning also assumed an energy-efficient building shell and renewable energies with a photovoltaic system. The construction of the three-story staff house will create a total of 13 additional residential units. The 27 to 35 square meter studios are all equipped with a kitchenette and bathroom and most have a balcony or garden seating area. The new house should be ready for occupancy at the end of 2025.