One can have too much of a good thing, as the expression goes, and the surge of ownership for types of holiday homes in certain countries has prompted anger from locals complaining about noise, lack of affordable properties, and more. A new way to own and manage property is needed.

Azuro, the Swiss property technology and lifestyle company, has secured investment from Swiss family office Infinitas Capital, and German early-stage investor Daniel Bronk to launch what it says is Europe’s first user-owned portfolio of “smart” vacation homes.

The firm, located in Basel, sees potential for new ways to invest in homes that can be used throughout the year, responding to European governments’ clampdowns on what they see as excesses in short-term lets and absentee second homes.

(The main photo shows Azuro founders (left to right) Jan Linhart and David Polacek.)

Azuro said the capital will speed up its initial projects in Mallorca and the Alps, with nine locations targeted over the next two years and first openings in 2026. By 2028, the firm wants to deploy more than €50 million ($58.1 million) in real estate capital across Europe’s prime leisure regions.

“Azuro’s offering reflects a fundamental shift in how people want to travel and own assets,” Bronk, founder of Bronk Venture Capital, said. “Value conscious buyers are moving away from inconsistent rentals and the rigidity of a single property, and towards ownership that is flexible, rooted in real asset value, and aligned with how they are used to living.”

Robin Lauber, co-founder of Infinitas Capital (pictured below), said: “As traditional options are regulated out, what will survive are sustainable, locally-aligned homes that are consistently occupied. This is the emergence of a new asset class at the intersection of real estate finance, hospitality and lifestyle, and one that reflects how the next generation want to live and connect.”

Robin Lauber

European governments are tightening rules, responding to protests in places such as Majorca, for example, about “over-tourism.” Barcelona, to give an example, plans to ban tourist apartments by 2028.

Smoothing out demand
Azuro replaces holiday rentals with a user-owned portfolio of compact, two bedroom, design led homes. The model is designed for year-round stays and active lifestyles, helping spread demand beyond peak seasons. 

Starting at €40,000, buyers will co-own the entire portfolio, with a fixed owner-to-home ratio that ensures consistent availability. Unlike fractional schemes or branded residences that add heavy lifestyle mark ups, Azuro’s pricing is close to net asset value thanks to its proprietary real estate development arm, it said.

Infinitas Capital was interviewed by WealthBriefing here; it is part of a new wave of family offices in Switzerland. (See another story about Infinitas here.)