Ticino is showing positive entrepreneurial momentum. According to an analysis by the Institut für Jungunternehmen (IFJ), reported in the Swiss press, new entries in the Commercial Register increased by 9.3% between January and September 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, against national growth of 2.1%. Ticino recorded the strongest increase among Switzerland’s major regions.
For owners of offices and commercial premises, this deserves attention. Greater entrepreneurial activity can widen the pool of potential occupiers, including independent professionals, consultancies, service businesses and small operating companies.
Our property perspective is positive: this growth can create new letting and asset enhancement opportunities, particularly where the premises meet businesses’ practical needs.
From setting up a company to choosing a business address
A new registration does not necessarily mean a new lease. Some businesses start from home, while others use shared workspaces or a registered office service. These figures therefore do not directly measure office take-up, jobs created or changes in rents.
The significant step for the property market comes when a business develops its operations: it recruits staff, welcomes clients and needs identifiable, functional premises.
This is when opportunities can emerge for office properties. The requirement is not necessarily for a large floor area, but for space that fits the organisation and remains affordable.
Which offices could benefit?
For a young business, choosing premises involves balancing professional image, functionality and financial commitment. When preparing a property for letting, we therefore consider it useful to assess:
- an appropriate floor area and an easily adaptable layout;
- natural light, comfort and the quality of building services;
- transport links, accessibility and parking, according to the activity;
- connectivity and technical infrastructure;
- clarity on rent, service charges and fit-out costs.
An existing office can also become more competitive through targeted improvements. Before undertaking major refurbishment, it makes sense to identify what is limiting its usability: an inefficient layout, outdated systems, an unwelcoming entrance or overall costs that are difficult for occupiers to sustain.
The aim is to make the space better suited to its potential occupier.
What this means for owners and investors
The increase in new businesses provides a practical reason to reassess the positioning of vacant offices or premises that have proved difficult to let.
For an owner, this may be the time to reconsider floor areas, fit-out, lease terms and presentation. For an investor, the figures can direct attention towards properties that can accommodate different occupiers, while retaining a rigorous assessment of local demand.
An office property’s value still depends on its ability to generate sustainable income. Tenant creditworthiness, vacancy, expenses and future capital expenditure all matter. An increase in registrations alone does not justify higher property values.
The signal is encouraging: a more dynamic business community can open up new opportunities for workplaces. Capturing them requires properties that fit the needs of businesses as they launch and grow.
Studio Antonini & Partners supports owners and investors in the valuation, market positioning and enhancement of offices and commercial premises in Lugano and Ticino.