TRISTAN DAVIS REAL ESTATE (TDRE)

Not just an agent.
The right match.

Property. Buyers. Capital. Operators. Connected intelligently.

Tristan Davis Real Estate (TDRE) is a Swiss real estate matching and transaction advisory business. We start with what you actually need — then identify the property, buyer, investor, operator, capital or specialist expertise that best fits the objective.

Powered by structured matching. Guided by human judgement.
ResidentialHotels & HospitalityDevelopmentOperational LivingCapitalSwitzerland + selected Europe
START WITH WHAT YOU NEED

Start with the objective, not the inventory.

Four confidential routes organise the brief around what you need: acquisition, disposal/appraisal, capital or a project requiring the right counterparties.

02Sell / value a propertyPrivate homes, investment assets, hotels and discreet owner situations.Discuss your property →
WHAT WE WORK ON

Real estate across the full transaction.

Residential, hotels, development, operational living and capital — across Switzerland and selected European markets. Alpine expertise is one part of a much broader advisory capability.

Contemporary Swiss Alpine residenceHOMES · APARTMENTS · PORTFOLIOS
01

Residential

Private homes, apartments, chalets, multifamily, portfolios and residential investment.

Lakeside hotel in SwitzerlandOWNERSHIP · OPERATORS · TRANSACTIONS
02

Hotels & Hospitality

Hotel acquisitions and disposals, operator and lease situations, resorts, boutique hotels and hospitality development.

Alpine development setting in Saas-FeeLAND · CONVERSION · REPOSITIONING
03

Development & Repositioning

Development sites, conversions, redevelopment, refurbishment, mixed-use and value-add strategies.

Lakeside urban property in LucernePBSA · CO-LIVING · SERVICED LIVING
04

Operational Living

Student housing (PBSA), co-living, serviced apartments, extended stay, staff housing and senior living — assets where operations matter as much as the property.

Hotel property in InterlakenDEBT · EQUITY · JV · CAPEX
05

Capital & Structured Finance

Debt and equity routes including acquisition finance, preferred equity, mezzanine, project capital, renovation/CAPEX finance and joint ventures.

WHY TDRE IS DIFFERENT

Traditional agents start with a listing.
We start with what you actually need.

The requirement may be a property, a buyer, an investor, an operator, a development route, capital or specialist expertise. The starting point is the objective, not the available listings.

We qualify what actually matters, then focus on the counterparties and route that genuinely fit.

PROPERTYBUYERINVESTOROPERATORDEVELOPERCAPITALSPECIALIST
STRUCTURED MATCHING · HUMAN JUDGEMENT

Better matching starts with better information.

Tristan Davis Real Estate (TDRE) is a Swiss real estate matching and transaction advisory business. A brief can begin with an asset, acquisition requirement, capital need, operator search or development opportunity. Matching can consider location, asset class, investment size, transaction structure, strategy, operating model, development appetite, timing and financing needs.

01Your objective

What actually needs to happen?

02Qualification

Location, asset, ticket, structure, strategy, operator model and timing.

03Relevant match

Property, buyer, investor, operator, developer, capital or specialist.

04Human advisory

Judgement, introductions, coordination and transaction support.

SWITZERLAND & SELECTED EUROPEAN MARKETS

Beyond the resorts.

Our Alpine landing pages demonstrate local depth. The wider advisory work extends across Swiss cities, lakeside and regional markets, hospitality and investment opportunities, and selected European situations.

01

Swiss cities

Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich and other urban markets across residential, investment, hospitality and development.

02

Lakeside & regional Switzerland

Lucerne and other lakeside or regional markets where property, hospitality, investment or repositioning logic fits the brief.

03

Swiss Alps

Deep knowledge in selected resort markets alongside searches and assignments across the wider Alpine region.

04

Selected European opportunities

Hospitality, operational real estate, development and investment situations where the mandate and counterparties justify a cross-border approach.

The right counterparty, not simply a large contact list.

TDRE works across relevant relationships with buyers, family offices, investors, lenders, developers, hotel operators, advisers, architects, valuers, brokers and other specialists in Switzerland and internationally.

Read more about our specialist network

Tristan Davis Real Estate advises on residential, commercial and hotel property, capital requirements and complex projects in Switzerland. Where a mandate requires additional expertise, the appropriate architects, lawyers, banks, valuers, operators, developers, contractors, capital providers and other specialists can be coordinated around the assignment.

Advice is tailored to the transaction or project, with clear scope, discretion and independent coordination from the outset. Based in Switzerland and advising clients across the Swiss Alps, major Swiss cities and selected international markets.

Selected Transactions & Advisory Experience

Success Stories

Different briefs. Different missing pieces. The same approach: start with what the client actually needs.

Our work can start with a property requirement, an owner situation, an operator search or a capital need — the objective determines the match.

Representative Alpine chalet for a Nendaz acquisition case
Representative image

Property match

Residential acquisition · Broad-supply market

Nendaz Chalet Acquisition and Off-Market Buyer Advisory

Read more

Brief: A residential client viewed 28 chalets during a single weekend in Nendaz. The challenge was not a lack of stock, but too much choice and no property that fully matched the brief.

Approach: Rather than continue through the visible market, TDRE pursued a more targeted route and identified an off-market chalet in a leading location, at a compelling price relative to its position. That was the property the client ultimately purchased.

Outcome: A focused off-market acquisition after an intensive review of the available market.

Representative Alpine apartment for a Nendaz off-market search
Representative image

Off-market access

Residential acquisition · Scarce market

Nendaz Off-Market Apartment Buyer Advisory

Read more

Brief: Clients were seeking a particularly attractive apartment at a time when high-quality residential supply in Nendaz — and similarly in Verbier — was extremely limited, with very few suitable properties reaching the open market.

Approach: TDRE identified an off-market opportunity and presented it through a concise 90-second video. Within three to four days, the clients travelled to view it and agreed to purchase it the same day.

Outcome: Rapid decision-making enabled by trusted sourcing, clear presentation and early access to scarce stock.

Representative Geneva city-centre hotel exterior for an operator-selection mandate
Representative image

Operator match

Hotel advisory · Lease takeover

Geneva Hotel Operator Selection and Lease Repositioning

Read more

Brief: A newly opened hotel of approximately 100 rooms in a prime Geneva location required a replacement operator under a demanding lease structure. Significant capital had already been invested in the furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E), meaning any incoming operator needed to commit substantial funds before trading.

Approach: After an extended search and negotiations over several months, TDRE identified an operator prepared to invest several million francs to compensate for the existing FF&E investment while also accepting a high rental commitment. Bringing together the commercial terms, the parties and the operational requirements required persistence and careful coordination.

Outcome: A successful lease takeover, preserving the value of the hotel investment and enabling the property to continue operating under a new hotel operator.

Representative renovated Swiss apartment for a residential repositioning and capital mandate
Representative image

Capital match

Capital raising · Swiss residential repositioning

Swiss Residential Repositioning and Private Capital Raising

Read more

Brief: TDRE has supported Turnqey Capital with capital raising for Swiss residential projects that sit below the typical pension-fund investment threshold. The strategy includes acquiring older apartment buildings in urban B and C locations, generally at values below approximately CHF 15 million, as well as selected hotel-to-residential conversions.

Approach: The buildings are repositioned and renovated to provide housing for low- to middle-income households. Because these projects often require funding beyond first-ranking mortgage debt, TDRE has helped source private capital to complete the financing structure and support deployment into suitable Swiss opportunities.

Outcome: Private capital successfully raised and deployed into Swiss residential conversion and refurbishment projects.

Meredith Davis
Your primary contact

Meredith Davis — founder and residential & commercial real estate adviser

Meredith Davis is the founder of Tristan Davis Real Estate and the primary contact for private buyers, residential owners, families, investors, developers and operators approaching Tristan Davis Real Estate.

Residential work includes private homes, chalets, apartments, residential investments, relocation, off-market sourcing, owner representation, renovation oversight and confidential sales preparation.

Commercial and operational work includes hotels, hospitality, student housing, co-living, staff and workforce accommodation, development, financing, operator selection, capital raising and cross-border transactions. Meredith coordinates the property, people and professional inputs required for each situation.

Residential property & relocationCommercial & operational real estateSwitzerland-based since 200512,000+ professional connections

How would you like to begin?

Choose the approach that suits you best. Arrange a confidential consultation or share your requirements in confidence so we can review your brief before responding.

Book a confidential consultation

Every enquiry is reviewed personally by an experienced adviser.

Watch Meredith’s interview

Interview in English

Meredith Davis in conversation with David Bell of PCD.

Professional education: Cornell University certificate in hotel and real estate investment.

Advisers, wider network & legacy

Current expertise and the people who helped shape Tristan Davis Real Estate

Meredith coordinates every initial enquiry. Carsten Schieck remains active in the advisory business. Dave Elliott is based in Verbier and brings extensive experience across Alpine residential property, lifestyle real estate and investment opportunities in Verbier and the wider Swiss Alps. Naveen Jerith is no longer active in Tristan Davis Real Estate’s day-to-day business but remains part of the wider hospitality network as an independent hotel operator. Peter Wagner’s interview is retained in his memory.

Carsten Schieck
Active adviser

Carsten Schieck

Hospitality consulting & operational expert

More than 30 years in hotel operations, development and repositioning across Europe, with Swiss and DACH relevance.

Dave Elliott
Adviser profile

Dave Elliott

Verbier-based Alpine real estate adviser

Based in Verbier, Dave has extensive experience across the Swiss Alps, connecting buyers and sellers of chalets, apartments and investment properties. His knowledge includes Alpine living, luxury residential markets and property opportunities in Verbier and the wider mountain region.

Naveen Jerith
Wider network · hotel operator

Naveen Jerith

Hotel operator & former cross-border adviser

Naveen is no longer active in Tristan Davis Real Estate’s day-to-day business. His interview remains as part of the firm’s history, while he continues independently as a hotel operator.

Peter Wagner
In memoriam

Peter Wagner

In memoriam — former hotel development & market-entry adviser

The late Peter Wagner contributed hotel development and market-entry expertise. His interview remains online as a tribute to him and his contribution.

Practical answers

Frequently asked questions

How does the confidential residential appraisal journey work?

The guided journey asks about the property and the owner’s objective, while Quick Submission allows an owner to send a photograph, document or webpage with required contact details and privacy consent. Every enquiry is reviewed personally and confidentially.

Is the initial appraisal an instant or certified valuation?

No. It is a confidential initial market appraisal based on the information supplied and market context. It is not an instant algorithmic result or a formal certified valuation, which may require a separately instructed qualified independent valuer.

How can a buyer submit a Swiss residential property search?

Buyers can describe the property type, preferred locations, legal or residency context, requirements, budget, finance position and timing before adding contact details. Acquisition eligibility and restrictions remain subject to property-specific verification.

How are hotel buyers, investors, operators and capital providers classified?

The commercial demand journey first asks whether the visitor wants to buy, operate, buy and operate, invest, provide debt or equity, join a JV, forward fund or seek a strategic introduction. The following questions then adapt to that role.

Can an owner or developer request project finance or a JV partner?

Yes. The commercial owner and developer journey includes refinancing, acquisition finance, development finance, CAPEX and bridge finance, mezzanine, preferred equity, common-equity JV, forward funding, forward purchase, operator and tenant searches, conversion and repositioning.

What is the difference between a capital provider and a capital seeker?

A capital provider is an investor, lender, family office, fund or other party looking to deploy debt or equity and enters through the commercial demand journey. A capital seeker is an owner, sponsor or developer seeking finance or a partner and enters through the commercial owner and developer journey.

What information is useful for an initial finance or JV review?

Useful information includes the asset or project type, location, site control, planning and construction stage, amount sought, total cost or value, sponsor equity, use of funds, timing, partner role and exit strategy. Sensitive documents are not requested on the homepage.

Does submitting a journey guarantee a valuation, buyer, funding or transaction?

No. The journeys organise information for a confidential initial review. They do not generate or guarantee a valuation, finance offer, investor, buyer, operator, JV partner or successful transaction.

Can foreign buyers purchase residential property in Switzerland?

Foreign-buyer eligibility depends on nationality, residence status, intended use, canton, municipality and the individual property. Lex Koller and local quota rules can apply, so eligibility should be checked before a buyer commits to a transaction.

What should a buyer know about Swiss Alpine property?

Alpine properties vary significantly in access, altitude, rental restrictions, renovation needs, running costs and foreign-buyer eligibility. A search should assess the specific building or chalet, not only the resort or asking price.

Can TDRE help with an off-market property acquisition?

Yes. Where appropriate, TDRE can undertake discreet owner outreach, use professional relationships and coordinate buyer representation for properties that are not publicly marketed. Off-market availability cannot be guaranteed.

Can an appraisal be used for a mortgage, court or tax purpose?

The homepage journey provides an initial market appraisal, not a certified valuation. A bank, court, tax authority or legal process may require a separately instructed qualified valuer and a report prepared for that specific purpose.

What does residential owner representation include?

Owner representation may include sales preparation, broker coordination, renovation oversight, contract and quotation review, cost control, due diligence coordination and communication with technical or professional advisers.

Can TDRE oversee a renovation for a private property owner?

TDRE can support owners with scope definition, contractor and consultant coordination, quotation comparison, contract review, progress monitoring and cost oversight. Technical design and regulated professional services remain with the appointed specialists.

Can TDRE help someone buy a hotel in Switzerland?

Yes. Hotel acquisition advice may include search strategy, owner or broker contact, operator and brand considerations, initial commercial review, due diligence coordination, financing discussions and transaction support.

Does TDRE work with hotel operators as well as property investors?

Yes. A hotel situation may involve a property buyer, lease operator, management-contract operator, franchisee, brand, developer, lender or equity investor. The role and operating model are clarified before counterparties are approached.

What is development finance?

Development finance is funding used for land, construction, conversion or major repositioning. A lender or investor will normally review planning status, total cost, sponsor equity, contractor arrangements, projected value, timing and exit strategy.

How does a real estate joint venture work?

A joint venture combines parties with complementary resources, such as a site or project, development expertise and investment capital. Governance, decision rights, funding obligations, profit sharing, security and exit terms must be agreed for the specific project.

Can TDRE introduce equity investors or lenders?

TDRE can assess a financing brief and, where appropriate, approach relevant family offices, investors, banks or alternative lenders. Any introduction, due diligence, pricing and approval remain subject to the independent decision of each party.

What information is needed for a commercial property acquisition brief?

Useful information includes target asset type, location, investment size, return profile, occupancy, lease length, operating exposure, financing position, timing and whether the buyer is seeking a direct acquisition, development or joint venture.

START HERE

What are you looking to achieve?

Choose the closest route. If the requirement crosses property, capital and operations, start with the project brief and we will organise it from there.

02Discuss a propertyOwner review →