26.03.2025

From real estate to community: Wincasa's approach to shopping centres and mixed-use sites

As a leading real estate services provider, Wincasa has a specialised department for the management of shopping centres and mixed-use areas (CMSM). In French-speaking Switzerland, Philippe Schroff (Regional Director) and the teams of Yvan Meyer, Real Estate Area Director for Geneva, and Christian Chappuis, Real Estate Area Director for the rest of French-speaking Switzerland, take an innovative and people-focused approach to projects in the region. With their experience in the retail and hospitality industries and their extensive real estate expertise, they tell us about their profession.

Local roots and tailored management

With 86 shopping centres and 194 employees, Wincasa is a major player in the management of mixed-use sites. ‘Our job is to create centres that offer a range of complementary and coordinated activities,’ explains Christian Chappuis, Real Estate Area Director. This includes defining a strategy tailored to each location, as well as administrative, technical and rental management and marketing. Each location is designed to include a balanced range of services, from shops and services to restaurants, offices and sometimes even residential space. ‘A medical centre, a supermarket or a hairdressing salon do not have the same needs. Our job is to ensure that they coexist harmoniously, for the benefit of both tenants and customers,‘ explains Raphaël Fevrier, Real Estate Site Manager in Christian Chappuis’ team.

To this end, the Wincasa teams conduct detailed analyses of market needs, taking into account developments in the surrounding area, visitor flows, consumer trends and the location of existing businesses. Philippe Schroff, Regional Manager for French-speaking Switzerland, explains: ‘We are keen to establish ourselves locally by working closely with local authorities, business groups and public authorities. Our aim is to integrate the projects into their environment.’

Community development, a priority for Wincasa

Being locally rooted is also achieved by creating a community, which is a strategic priority for Wincasa. The centres are designed not only as commercial spaces, but also as living spaces where retailers, customers and neighbours can interact and flourish together. Through regular events and entertainment, Wincasa transforms its shopping centres and mixed-use areas into places for people to meet and interact.

The Signy Centre shopping centre near Nyon is an example of this approach: it is brought to life by local events such as partnerships with the Paléo Festival, rooftop events and children's workshops. ‘Our role is not limited to renting out space. We create real community dynamics,’ explains Christian Chappuis.

Employees with different profiles

One of Wincasa's strengths lies in the diversity of its employees. Thanks to their wide range of professional experience and practical expertise, the teams have an in-depth understanding of the wishes of owners, the needs of retailers and the expectations of customers. This knowledge enables them to ensure a suitable and profitable tenant mix while promoting harmonious relationships between all parties.

For Christian Chappuis, who had a career in food retailing before joining Wincasa, professional development is a key element of the company's DNA: ‘At Wincasa, we give talent a chance. Many employees come to us from other sectors: retail, marketing, building services engineering... This diversity of profiles is a real advantage. It enriches our approach and enables us to offer our customers innovative, tailor-made solutions.’

A future-oriented company

By integrating aspects such as mobility, sustainability and customer experience, Wincasa is becoming an important player in the management of mixed-use spaces. Whether it's partnerships with public transport companies, the development of multimodal hubs or energy optimisation, the commercial real estate market is constantly evolving and Wincasa wants to be at the forefront of these developments by developing projects that meet the growing expectations of a wide range of stakeholders.

‘Nothing is set in stone, you have to constantly question yourself, innovate and adapt to market expectations,’ says Philippe Schroff. It's a philosophy that makes Wincasa an industry leader, but also an attractive employer for those who want to develop in a stimulating and forward-looking environment.