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 and projects, acquisitions of real estate companies as well as on the financing of real estate portfolios. Related administrative law matters (e.g., Lex Koller, Lex Weber and environmental law), construction 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 and construction 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. Clients mention that "Charles Gschwind is [their] first choice when operating in Western Switzerland" (Chambers Europe, 2025).

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

• Pictet on the sale and lease back of its global headquarter in Geneva.
• Nestlé on its sale of a data center and office property near Lausanne.
• Swisscanto and PUBLICA on their sale of the commercial services area of the "La Maladière" stadium in Neuchâtel.
• PSP Swiss Property on its acquisition of the former global headquarter of Edmond de Rothschild in Geneva in a sale and lease back transaction, its acquisition of a prime property in Geneva in a share deal and its sale of a commercial property in Petit-Lancy in an asset deal.
• COPRÉ on its sale of a residential complex with over 300 apartments in Nyon.
• 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.
• Western Union on its acquisition of 14 Small World business locations in the German-, French- and Italian-speaking parts of Switzerland.
• 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.
• Jumeirah Group on its acquisition of the Le Richemond hotel in Geneva.
• The Bastion Collection on the transition of the hotel management of The Woodward 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.
• 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.

• Ranked in Real Estate (Switzerland), Chambers Europe, 2025
• Next Generation Partner in Real Estate (Switzerland), Legal 500, 2025
• Mentioned Lawyer in Construction (Switzerland), Legal 500, 2025

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