Baugenossenschaft Zurlinden

What Baugenossenschaft Zurlinden does

Baugenossenschaft Zurlinden (BGZ), founded April 28, 1923, is a Swiss non-profit housing cooperative (Genossenschaft) headquartered at Altstetterstrasse 335 in Zurich. Operating on a cost-rent basis (Kostenmiete), it acquires, develops, and manages affordable rental housing across 49 settlements in the Greater Zurich area, totaling 2,267 residential apartments and 97 commercial spaces (Gewerberäume). Tenant allocation follows a formal Vermietungsreglement prioritizing household size and occupancy, with prospective renters registering via the Mietinteresse online form and existing tenants able to transfer internally.

BGZ's portfolio spans core residential rentals, multi-generational developments (notably Zentrum Tödi in Horgen with kindergarten, childcare, and a planned Pflegezentrum operated by partner Tertianum), commercial spaces, and parking. The cooperative pursues a documented sustainability program aligned with the 2000-Watt Society and SIA 390/1 Climate Path, deploying 36 photovoltaic installations producing 1.42 GWh annually, a hydrogen energy storage pilot at Büelhalde (Oberrieden), ground-source heat pumps serving 45% of apartments, rainwater harvesting, and hybrid wood-concrete construction. Building technologies are complemented by a digital tenant services layer (repair reporting, key ordering, parking reservation, internal apartment transfers) delivered through bgzurlinden.ch.

The business model is a closed-loop cooperative economy. Revenue comes almost entirely from recurring monthly residential and commercial rent, supplemented by a Darlehenskasse (member loan fund) at a board-set rate (currently 1.25%, 6-month minimum term) that supplies patient capital from Genossenschafter, tenants, and affiliated parties. The cooperative has 33 Genossenschafter member companies — primarily construction, engineering, HVAC, and timber trades — that serve as both suppliers and capital providers, creating a vertically integrated delivery and financing ecosystem. Capital structure also includes support from the City of Zurich through its Wohnbauförderung (housing promotion) division, which holds Genossenschafter status. Because the entity is non-profit and does not publicly disclose revenue or financials, investment return is measured in mission delivery (affordable housing stock, sustainability outcomes) rather than financial yield.

Name

Baugenossenschaft Zurlinden

Legal name

Baugenossenschaft Zurlinden

Website

https://bgzurlinden.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Baugenossenschaft Zurlinden is a non-profit Swiss housing cooperative founded in 1923 that owns and manages 2,267 affordable rental apartments and 97 commercial spaces across 49 settlements in the Greater Zurich area on a cost-rent basis.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-Profit Cooperative Housing

NAICS

Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (53111), Lessors of Nonresidential Buildings (except Miniwarehouses) (531120)

SIC

Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAJAHAC

Cooperative (Co-op) Housing Association Management

Business & Public Services/Real Estate Services (Brokerage, Property Management)/HOA/Condominium Association Management

SECONDARYBPAGALAC

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Enterprises & Impact Organizations

Keywords

• Non-profit housing cooperative
• Affordable rental housing
• Cooperative property management
• Sustainable residential construction
• Cost-based rental housing

Headquarters

HQ city

Stadtkreis 9, Zurich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Mietzinse (Rental Income): Primary revenue from renting apartments, commercial spaces (97 Gewerberäume), and parking spots to tenants. Rents are calculated on a cost-basis model (Kostenmiete), meaning they are not profit-oriented but based on actual costs. This is the core revenue stream supporting the cooperative's operations.
2. Darlehenskasse (Cooperative Loan Fund): A supplementary financing mechanism where genossenschafter, tenants, employees, and related persons or companies provide loans to the cooperative. Interest rate is set by the board and must not fall below the applicable reference interest rate. Current interest rate: 1.25%. Interest is paid out in the first quarter of the following year. Minimum term: 6 months.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Baugenossenschaft Zurlinden (BG Zurlinden) is a non-profit housing cooperative that develops, owns, and manages affordable residential rental housing across the Greater Zurich area. It operates 49 settlements containing 2,267 apartments and 97 commercial spaces, letting them to tenants under a cost-rent (Kostenmiete) model where rents reflect actual costs rather than market rates. The cooperative also runs a loan fund (Darlehenskasse) for members and affiliated persons, and integrates sustainability innovations such as photovoltaic systems, hydrogen energy storage, and rainwater harvesting into its housing portfolio.

Product overview

Baugenossenschaft Zurlinden (BGZ) is a non-profit housing cooperative providing affordable rental housing and property management services across the greater Zurich area. The organization operates 49 settlements with 2,267 residential apartments and 97 commercial spaces, offering a portfolio of core housing products supplemented by digital tenant services. Their housing offerings are categorized into three main product lines: Pionierprojekte (innovative pioneer projects with sustainable architecture and renewable energy concepts), Neubauprojekte (new construction developments including multi-generational settlements and care facilities), and Sanierungen (building renovations and retrofits focusing on energy efficiency). BGZ provides tenant-facing digital services including rental interest registration, internal apartment transfers, parking reservations, repair reporting, and key ordering—all accessible through their website platform. The cooperative also operates a loan fund (Darlehenskasse) for members and affiliated persons, and implements sustainability innovations such as photovoltaic installations, hydrogen energy storage, and rainwater harvesting systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Apartments (Wohnungen) Affordable rental apartments let according to cost-rent principles (Kostenmiete), offered across 49 settlements in the Greater Zurich area, totaling 2,267 apartments serving households of all sizes.
• Commercial Spaces (Gewerberäume) 97 commercial and retail spaces within BGZ settlements, including the Waldegg-Center in Horgen and offices at Wydlerweg 27 in Zürich-Albisrieden, rented to local businesses and service providers.
• Parking (Parkplätze) Underground garage, garage, and outdoor parking spaces available for separate rental across BGZ settlements, including electric vehicle charging options.
• Pioneer Projects (Pionierprojekte) Innovative housing settlements showcasing sustainable architecture, renewable energy concepts, and forward-thinking construction methods, including A-Park, Bachwies/Breiti, Badenerstrasse, Breiteli, Büelhalde, Dollikerstrasse, Hardegg, Hüttengraben, and Käpfnach/Rietwies.
• New Construction Projects (Neubauprojekte) New residential construction projects developed from concept through completion, including multi-generational settlements combining apartments, childcare, and planned care centers — exemplified by Zentrum Tödi in Horgen.
• Renovation Projects (Sanierungen) Building renovation and retrofitting services focused on energy efficiency, structural upgrades, and sustainable development of existing housing stock, including timber-construction additions and modernizations.
• Cooperative Loan Fund (Darlehenskasse) Member-facing financing service that accepts loans from Genossenschafter, tenants, employees, and affiliated persons or companies to finance cooperative activities; interest rate set by the board, paid out the first quarter of the following year, minimum 6-month term.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,267 apartments, 49 settlements, 97 commercial spaces — demonstrating scale and geographic reach across Greater Zurich.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Tertianum GruppecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026BG Zurlinden and Tertianum Gruppe signed a lease agreement for the operation of a future care center (Pflegezentrum) at the Zentrum Tödi in Horgen. Simultaneously, a service agreement between the municipality of Horgen and Tertianum was concluded. Tertianum will operate the care center as part of the multi-generational project, providing care and nursing places to complement the residential, kindergarten, and childcare offerings at the site.
• TIXI ZürichcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2017BG Zurlinden has been a long-standing partner of TIXI Zürich, a non-profit accessible transportation service. BGZ finances and supports TIXI vehicles for people with disabilities, contributing to the vehicle's financing, maintenance, and operation over its 6-year lifespan. The first BGZ-branded TIXI vehicle was baptized on March 1, 2017. By 2026, BGZ-funded vehicles have been on the road for a cumulative period exceeding 3 years (the 3rd vehicle has been operational for 365 days/year).
• Stadt Zürich (City of Zurich)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Zurich, through its Wohnbauförderung (housing promotion) division, is a genossenschafter of BG Zurlinden. This partnership reflects the city's support for affordable, non-profit housing development and aligns BGZ with municipal housing policy objectives.
• Gebr. Knabenhans AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationTraditional construction company specializing in roofing, plumbing, and modern building technology. As a genossenschafter member, Knabenhans provides construction services for BGZ projects, contributing expertise in building systems and technical installations.
• Henauer Gugler AG (HEGU)coreTechnology or IntegrationEngineering firm providing structural engineering services for sustainable and durable building construction. As a genossenschafter member, HEGU contributes to the planning and engineering of BGZ projects.
• Zimmereigenossenschaft (ZGZ)coreTechnology or IntegrationCarpentry cooperative providing timber construction, conversions, and renovations. As a genossenschafter member, ZGZ contributes to BGZ's sustainable wood construction projects, including the pioneering wooden superstructures and hybrid construction methods.
• Pfiffner AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationFamily company specializing in intelligent and energy-efficient building technology. As a genossenschafter member and represented on BGZ's board by Peter Pfiffner, Pfiffner AG contributes HVAC and energy systems expertise to BGZ projects.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Genossenschaft Kalkbreite: Zurich non-profit housing cooperative operating a flagship mixed-use, sustainable building (Kalkbreite complex). Shares BGZ's cooperative governance, non-profit mission, and emphasis on ecological innovation, but operates at smaller scale and a single signature project.
• Genossenschaft mehr als wohnen: Zurich-based non-profit housing cooperative focused on innovative, mixed-use, and community-oriented developments (Hunziker Areal). Comparable to BGZ on cooperative structure and mission, with a more experimental/emerging profile versus BGZ's established portfolio.

Regional players

• Wohnungsgenossenschaft Bern (WGB): Non-profit housing cooperative active in the Bern region with analogous cost-rent operations and tenant allocation framework. Useful regional benchmark for cooperative housing economics outside Zurich.
• Heimstättengenossenschaft Basel (HGB): Major Basel-area non-profit housing cooperative managing affordable rental housing on a cooperative basis. Operates the same non-profit cost-rent model in a different Swiss metropolitan area, providing useful regional comparison for BGZ's Zurich-area positioning.

Direct peers

• Wohnbaugenossenschaft Proganz: Zurich housing cooperative developing and managing multi-unit residential property on a non-profit basis. Directly comparable to BGZ in structure, geographic market, and tenant offering, with a smaller but similar portfolio footprint.
• Allgemeine Baugenossenschaft Zürich (ABZ): One of the largest housing cooperatives in Zurich, ABZ manages tens of thousands of apartments on a similar gemeinnützige / cost-rent basis across the same metropolitan area. Business model, regulatory framework, and tenant base are nearly identical to BGZ, making it the closest direct comparable.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/baugenossenschaftzurlinden

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Baugenossenschaft Zurlinden