The red and yellow hoses are neatly rolled up in their holders, the radios are at the ready, and the equipment hangs in the lockers of the Zumikon-Küsnachterberg fire brigade, crowned by the cream-coloured helmets. "We village kids still know that the fire brigade has the best parties," a metal sign reads. The emotion of having worked, experienced and saved so much here is palpable in the air. And yet the days of the massive building in the immediate vicinity of the village square are probably numbered, because at the end of October the fire brigade will move into its new depot in the Schwäntenmos. The future of the 50-year-old fire station building has therefore been an issue for some time: last November, the municipal assembly authorised the municipal council to sell the building for a minimum price of 8.7 million Swiss francs. To find a buyer for the 2725-square-metre property that is as attractive as possible, the municipal council has given this task to Ginesta Immobilien AG from Küsnacht on the basis of a tendering procedure. For the real estate company, this is anything but an ordinary assignment. "We have sold many things, but never a fire station," says Claude Ginesta, CEO of the family-owned company.

Demolition as good as certain
Anyone who would use the building, which also houses six flats on the upper floor, would have enough space for a fleet of vehicles, but Claude Ginesta waves it off. "In the end, it's building land." The experienced real estate expert says it is very unlikely that the building will remain standing. After all, it could only be used by a fire brigade. "It is a typical zone where multi-family houses are built," says Ginesta. In fact, it is a residential zone in which "only non-disruptive businesses are permitted", as a glance at the building and zoning code reveals. So after residents had heard sirens from time to time until now, it should be quieter now that the fire brigade has moved away. "The advantage is that it is a very central location directly behind the village square, but it is not a core zone," Ginesta points out. As a result, he says, the future owner will be freer in terms of design. Ginesta also points out that, compared to the current utilisation, it would be possible to build more densely.

More revenues expected
"Until 16 November, there is the opportunity to submit non-binding purchase offers with proof of financing," Ginesta explains the sales process. In a further phase, the property can be inspected and so-called binding offers can be submitted. This is planned until December. "We invite the interested parties with the ten highest offers from the first round of bids to the second round," says Claude Ginesta. He expects the minimum price of 8.7 million to be very significantly outbid. "The estimate was made in 2019: Since then, the market has improved significantly." This would benefit the municipality, which wants to cross-finance the new building with the revenue.

Bombproof bunker
The property also has a special underground feature in the form of a civil defence bunker. "The demolition of a bomb-proof cellar is costly: That's why we asked for a quote," says Ginesta. The result: the demolition could cost half a million, which would be borne by the buyer. And there is another mortgage hidden in the ground. "There was a petrol station there," says Ginesta. As a result, substances such as diesel, petrol and heavy oil could have leaked into the soil. How the affected soil has to be disposed of is something the buyer has to check. So who buys the old fire station building has yet to be seen. Ginesta Immobilien AG is responsible for marketing the property. However, the decision as to who will be awarded the property lies with the Zumikon municipal council.

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Fotos: Sabine Rock on behalf of the Zürichsee-Zeitung