SUISSE News Spring 2026
Real Estate
Real Estate
June 2026
From Empty Space to Productive Places - Stay Tiny
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In Switzerland, this journey led to the development of Capsule Hotels Switzerland, helping introduce a new accommodation concept to the Swiss hospitality market. In Kenya, it meant transforming an unused rooftop into one of East Africa's largest pickleball communities. Today, through Stay Tiny, I am exploring how modular infrastructure can help activate vacant and under utilized spaces in new ways.
Across Switzerland and many other countries, we are seeing a growing number of vacant commercial properties, oversized retail footprints and buildings searching for new purpose. At the same time, cities face increasing pressure to create affordable accommodation, temporary housing solutions, workforce housing, student living and flexible hospitality offerings.
Rather than viewing these challenges separately, we believe they can be addressed together.
Stay Tiny is developing a modular room system that allows existing buildings to be activated quickly and with significantly lower investment than traditional construction. The concept can support a wide range of applications, including hospitality, workforce accommodation, student housing, temporary residential projects, event infrastructure and transitional housing solutions.
Our focus is not on building new real estate. Our focus is on unlocking the potential of existing real estate.
While the concept is currently being developed in Switzerland, we see opportunities wherever communities are looking for practical, scalable and economically viable ways to activate underutilized space.
I would be delighted to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, property owners, developers, municipalities and organizations interested in discussing innovative approaches to space activation and modular accommodation solutions.
More information: www.staytiny.ca
Joe Imholz
Founder, Stay Tiny
