Charles Gschwind

Charles has broad experience in M&A with a particular focus on real estate transactions. He regularly advises domestic and international clients on asset deals, large-scale portfolio transactions, development projects, hotel transactions, acquisitions of real estate companies as well as on the financing of real estate portfolios. Related administrative law matters (e.g., Lex Koller and environmental law), general corporate, commercial and contract law as well as tenancy matters also belong to his areas of expertise. Together with the dispute resolution team, he further regularly advises on (pre-)litigation matters in the real estate sector.

Clients highlight that "Charles Gschwind is well aware of the market and of the stakes and challenges. He is very responsive and available, and has good ideas to solve problems" (Chambers Europe, 2024).

As a bilingual who is native in both French and German, his practice covers both main linguistic parts of Switzerland.

Charles' experience highlights include advising (with prior law firm matters):

• Pictet on the sale and lease back of its global headquarter in Geneva. 
• Swisscanto and PUBLICA on their sale of the commercial services area of the "La Maladière" stadium in Neuchâtel.
• Arab Bank Switzerland on its acquisition of the Quarz'Up development project near Geneva in a share deal and on its acquisition of the MixCity development project near Lausanne in an asset deal.
• Swissroc and Orllati on their acquisition of 60,000 square meters of freehold land in the ZIMEYSA industrial area near Geneva in a share deal.
• Nestlé on its sale of a data center and office property near Lausanne.
• Jumeirah Group on its acquisition of the Le Richemond hotel in Geneva.
• Migros-Genossenschafts-Bund on its sale of Magazine zum Globus and related prime properties to a joint venture of SIGNA and CENTRAL Group.
• Priora Suisse on its sale of a total of 36 properties (buildings and land) located within or directly adjacent to the airport perimeter to Zurich Airport.
• PSP Swiss Property on its acquisition of a prime property in Geneva in a share deal and on its sale of a commercial property in Petit-Lancy in an asset deal.
• Deka Immobilien on its acquisition of major logistics building near Geneva.
• Zürcher Kantonalbank / Swisscanto on various (further) real estate matters in the French- and German-speaking parts of Switzerland.
• Implenia and Ina Invest on the spin-off, rights offering and listing of Ina Invest Holding on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
• Coty on its sale of a 60% Interest in its professional and retail hair business valued at USD 4.3 billion to KKR.
• Capvis on its acquisition of Tertianum Group from Swiss Prime Site.
• EQT on its acquisition of Nestlé Skin Health for CHF 10.2 billion.
• Constellium on its sale of rolling business assets in Sierre to Novelis for EUR 200 million.

• Up and Coming in Real Estate (Switzerland), Chambers Europe, 2024
• Next Generation Partner in Real Estate and Construction (Switzerland), Legal 500, 2024

• SVIT Romandie – Member of the Committee
• Geneva Bar Association – Member
• Zurich Bar Association – (Passive) Member
• Swiss Bar Association – Member
• London Business School Alumni – Member