Fondation Terra et Casa

Our mission

Manage and develop

Established in Geneva in 1959, we have set ourselves the task of maintaining and developing, alone or in partnership with others, a high-quality property portfolio, making housing available primarily to the employees of organisations, agencies and entities involved in the activities of Geneva as an international centre.

Drawing on our skills and network of contacts, we facilitate the integration of Geneva’s international residents and work to strengthen the State of Geneva as a unique centre of global governance and competence.

Our values

Commitment

Ever since our Foundation was established, we have aimed to enhance the image of Geneva as an international centre by providing a welcoming living environment for the people who come and work here.

Openness

Faithful to the principles that have made Geneva the city of universal dialogue par excellence, we cultivate a spirit of openness, receptivity, integration and diversity.

Pragmatism

Able to draw on a wealth of specialised expertise and related skills, our Board adopts a practical approach to making its vision a reality.

Flexibility

Working on a human scale that encourages cooperative relationships and rapid decision-making, we have the flexibility required to realise our projects efficiently.

Our history

BIRTH OF TERRA ET CASA

1959

Terra et Casa established as a cooperative, building housing units at Versoix (Cité Choiseul) to be made available primarily to people working for the international organisations.

CITÉ CHOISEUL PROJECT

1961

Launch of building works in the Chemin du Pont-Céard (part of the Cité Choiseul development). Designed by architect Charles Braillard, the complex, completed in 1964, comprises 202 units spread over 5 buildings.

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LIGNON PROJECT

1963

Foundations laid for the first components of the great Lignon complex, an extended block more than one kilometre long designed by George Addor and other architects.

CREATION OF 202 HOUSING UNITS

1964

Completion of the Cité Choiseul development; the first residents move in.

CHANGE OF STATUS

1968

Terra et Casa becomes a Foundation.

CREATION OF 46 HOUSING UNITS

1971

Completion of the Lignon development. Terra et Casa offers 46 apartments for rent at numbers 42 and 43.

CREATION OF 74 HOUSING UNITS

1973

Construction of 47 apartments on the Promenade des Artisans (Meyrin), and 27 housing units on the Chemin du Nant de Crève-Cœur (Versoix).

TREMBLEY PROJECT

2008

Acquisition of two plots of land located between the Avenue Trembley and the Chemin des Crêts in the Petit-Saconnex neighbourhood, with the aim of building a hundred or so new units. The site also includes a villa designed by Maurice Braillard, listed as a historic monument by decree of the Council of State on 30 May 2012.

GRAND MORILLON PROJECT

2015

The Canton of Geneva promises to grant surface rights in respect of a plot located in the Grand-Morillon sector. The Terra et Casa Foundation plans to build 88 housing units on the site, alongside the future Swiss Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) headquarters and a building with accommodation for 700 students from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID).

TREMBLEY PROJECT

2018

Work starts at Trembley, the building permit having been granted at the end of October 2017.

CREATION OF 93 HOUSING UNITS

2021

Delivery of the Avenue Trembley apartments, 37 of which in condominium ownership.

Discover the project with a video.

CREATION OF 88 HOUSING UNITS

2021-2022

Moving into the arcades and flats of the Cité internationale du Grand Morillon.
Watch the video showing the inauguration of the CIGM in September 2022.

Restoration of the Villa Boccard

2024

After a year's work, the Villa Boccard has been restored in keeping with Maurice Braillard's architecture.

Construction of the Passage Morillons building

2024 - 2026

Scheduled for delivery in spring 2026.
More information about this project.