Making Tracks in Unmarked Territory: Andermatt’s Growing Potential

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Posted: 30th April 2018

Last Updated 22nd January 2024

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“Of all the places I know, this is the dearest and most interesting to me.”

-Goethe

Poems have been written and songs have been sung about the dramatic beauty of the Swiss Alps. Once there though, gazing at the majestic timelessness of these mountains, one feels like neither words, nor music will ever do them full justice.

100 kilometres south of Zurich, serpentine roads that wind higher through the mountains take you to the small picturesque village of Andermatt (1444m). Snuggled in the heart of the Alps, the village lies in the middle of the three major alpine passes of Switzerland: the Gotthard, the Furka and the Oberalp and is where to come to get away from it all. The quietness which is only interrupted by birdsong and the tranquillity almost feel surreal. Blessed with postcard worthy mountain appeal, Andermatt, which was one of the first alpine holiday destinations back in the 19^th century, has been undergoing exciting new developments with the objective to make this traditional village a year-round holiday destination.

Development

Back in 2005, Egyptian-born property developer Samih Sawiris fell in love with Andermatt’s untouched beauty and began a huge redevelopment project, worth CHF 1.8 billion or £1.2 billion. When fully completed, the project will comprise of about 500 apartments in 42 buildings, 28 chalets, convention facilities, a swimming pool and an 18-hole golf course. Additionally, the impressive mountain project also includes the building of six 4- and 5-star hotels – one of which, The Chedi Andermatt, opened its doors in 2013. To fully make use of the excellent snowfall and skiing opportunities of the region, the ski areas of Andermatt and neighbouring Sedrun have been merged to create the SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun, ideal for beginner, advanced and expert skiers.

From the very beginning, Mr Sawiris’ intention has been to preserve the region’s natural setting, seeing sustainability as ‘the cornerstone upon which the development of Andermatt is based’. During the initial planning stages of the project, environmental factors and cultural preservation, as well as the local residents’ opinion (with 96% of the locals voting in favour of the new land use plan) were taken into account. All apartment buildings and hotels are built to MINERGIE® standards - Swiss construction projects standards for sustainably and ecologically designed buildings with lower consumption of energy.

The Chedi Andermatt

Set in the heart of the old village, the opulent 5-star deluxe hotel, The Chedi Andermatt, is the centrepiece of the project. The look is refined yet cosy – blending traditional chalet style with a subtle Asian touches. Think billowing neutral fabrics, dark stone, lots of wood, faux-fur throws, open fires (there are more fireplaces than rooms in The Chedi Andermatt) and expansive windows. The showstopper is the double-height spa area on the back of the vast lobby. Huge windows gaze out over the treetops and an inside/outside swimming pool welcomes you for a quick dip after a day on the slopes.

When it comes to dining, at The Chedi Andermatt you will feel spoilt for options. The main restaurant serves modern-day Swiss, European and Asian specialities, whilst Japanese cuisine lovers can enjoy freshly prepared sushi and other authentic dishes in the Michelin-star Japanese Restaurant. After a delicious meal, head to either The Wine and Cigar Library or The Bar and The Livingroom for a cocktail or two by one of the many fireplaces in the hotel.

If you find yourself falling dangerously in love with The Chedi Andermatt and all of the comforts that it has to offer, do not fret – you can easily become an owner of one of the exquisite penthouses or apartments in one of the most elegant and luxurious hotels in the Alps.

For more information on how to become a property owner, please got to http://www.andermatt-swissalps.ch/en/buy-a-property/portfolio/estate/the-chedi-penthouses/estate-detail/

Holiday Village Andermatt Reuss

Another option for people looking to invest in property in the Swiss Alps are the chalets and the apartments located in the Holiday Village Andermatt Reuss, just outside the Old Village. The Andermatt Swiss Alps’ apartment houses combine traditional alpine aesthetic, modern interiors and jaw-dropping views of the snow-capped mountains. Apartments range from 26 to 271 square metres – from studios to five-bedroom maisonettes.

28 parcels on the banks of the Reuss River have been reserved for the construction of a small number of personalised chalets, which means that buyers have the full freedom to build their dream chalet nestled in the pristine Swiss Alps.

Although real estate ownership in Switzerland by foreign people is subject to restrictions set forth in a law known as Lex Koller, Holiday Village Andermatt Reuss is exempt from these restrictions, which presents a very attractive opportunity for potential international investors and makes buying and selling property in the resort as painless as it gets.

As if all of this doesn’t sound appealing enough, I have more good news –owners of residential properties may choose to have their apartment or chalet rented out during the time when they’re not using it.

For more information on buying property, please go to www.andermatt-swissalps.ch or email realestate@andermatt-swisslps.ch

The Old Village

Narrow cobbled streets, alpine architecture and so much history – Andermatt is so textbook traditionally Swiss that it guarantees to steal your heart. The village is relatively small and you can get around on foot, but this definitely doesn’t mean that you’ll be bored.

The Talmuseum (Valley Museum) is historic stately home in the village centre where you can learn a lot about the history and culture of the village. If you’re interested in hearing more about Andermatt’s history from a local, grab a coffee at the internet café Kiosk 61, whose owner radiates infectious enthusiasm about all things Andermatt.

On the high street, there is a lovely selection of restaurants, serving local specialities like rosti and cheese fondue, as well as French, German and Italian options with a Swiss twist.

An all-year round destination

Andermatt has the highest levels of guaranteed snow in Switzerland and the new SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun creates truly superb conditions for skiing. However, the village offers so much more than that! The 18-hole par 72 championship golf course, located adjacent to the village, was designed to international tournament standards and was named Switzerland’s Best Golf Course in 2017, for the second time.

With over 120 sunny days every year and 500 kilometres of hiking trails, Andermatt is the ideal location for hiking and Nordic walking. And the list of summer activities doesn’t end here – the surrounding mountains also boast excellent mountain biking trails and are a popular climbing area. Given its proximity to over 40 mountain lakes, Andermatt is also a good place for fishing. Talk about having it all!