Ground Floor vs. Upper Floor – Which Use Suits Which Floor?

Ground Floor – Maximum Visibility for Customer-Oriented Uses

The ground floor is the premium floor for all businesses that rely on walk-in traffic and spontaneous customer visits. Direct accessibility from the street makes these spaces particularly valuable for customer-oriented industries.

The biggest advantage of the ground floor is its immediate visibility. Pedestrians notice shop windows, displays, and entrances directly – without detours via staircases or elevators. This low-threshold accessibility is crucial for success in retail, hospitality, and many services.

In addition, the barrier that climbing stairs or taking an elevator can present to potential customers is eliminated. Especially for spontaneous purchasing decisions or the search for quick services, people prefer the most direct route. Ground floor spaces also benefit from larger window fronts, which can be used for advertising and product presentation.

Another practical aspect is logistics: deliveries, incoming goods, and the transport of heavy items are significantly easier on the ground floor. For businesses with high inventory turnover or bulky products, this is an advantage that should not be underestimated.

Typical uses for ground floor spaces are:

• Retail (fashion, electronics, groceries)
• Hospitality (restaurants, cafés, takeaways)
• Customer-oriented services (hairdressers, beauty salons, travel agencies)
• Banks and post offices
• Pharmacies and drugstores
• Fitness studios and health centers

Upper Floor – Discretion and Cost Efficiency for Back-Office Activities

Upper floors offer a completely different quality: they are ideal for companies that do not rely on spontaneous walk-in traffic, but work by appointment or whose activities take place in the background. The advantages lie in the peace and quiet, discretion, and significantly more favorable rental conditions.

For office activities where focused work is the priority, upper floors are often the better choice. They are less affected by street noise, offer more privacy, and create a quieter working atmosphere. Employees can work more undisturbed, which can increase productivity.

An important aspect is discretion. For industries such as law firms, trust offices, medical practices, or consulting firms, it can even be advantageous not to be present directly at street level. Customers often appreciate the privacy offered by a separate entrance via a staircase or an elevator.

Upper floors often have better lighting conditions because they are not shaded by awnings, trees, or opposite buildings. Many companies appreciate the view and the natural light, which contributes to a more pleasant working environment.

Typical uses for upper floors are:

• Offices (administration, accounting, project management)
• Law firms and notary offices
• Medical and therapy practices
• Advertising agencies and creative studios
• IT companies and software development
• Coworking spaces
• Architecture and engineering firms

Price Difference Between Ground Floor and Upper Floor

The price difference between the ground floor and the upper floor is significant and should definitely be taken into account when choosing a location. In central locations, ground floor spaces can be 30% to 70% more expensive than comparable spaces on upper floors – and even more in prime locations.

This price difference reflects the higher commercial value that ground floor spaces hold due to their visibility and accessibility. For a retail store on Zurich's Bahnhofstrasse or Geneva's Rue du Rhône, this investment can pay off, as the expected turnover justifies the higher rental costs.

For companies that do not rely on walk-in traffic, however, the lower rent on the upper floor represents a significant cost saving. Especially for startups, SMEs, or companies in the growth phase, this difference can make the difference between profitability and financial strain.

When calculating, however, you should also consider the ancillary costs. These can differ between floors, for example in heating costs (upper floors can be warmer in summer) or in the costs for elevator systems. In Switzerland, ancillary costs are typically charged as an advance payment (Akonto) and settled annually.

Another financial aspect is flexibility: upper floor spaces are often easier to rent out or to change if necessary, as demand is more broadly distributed. Ground floor spaces, on the other hand, are more specialized and can stay on the market longer in the event of a vacancy if they are not suitable for typical uses.

Visibility vs. Discretion – What is the Priority for Your Business?

The decision between the ground floor and upper floor depends largely on the role visibility and discretion play in your business model. You should answer this question honestly for yourself before signing a lease agreement.

If Visibility is Crucial

For businesses that thrive on impulse purchases or where customers do not have a specific intention to buy when they discover the store, visibility is essential. A bakery, a fashion boutique, or a café profit massively from a street-level presence. Here, the expected footfall justifies the higher rental costs.

Visibility on the ground floor can also be valuable for companies looking to build their brand. A well-designed shop window serves simultaneously as a permanent advertising space and shapes the brand image in the public eye.

If Discretion is Desired

However, there are many industries where discretion is actually a selling point. Law firms, psychotherapists, or financial advisors serve clients who value privacy. For such services, an upper floor with a separate entrance can be even more attractive than a ground-floor location.

Companies that work on referrals or whose clients actively seek them out also do not need walk-in traffic. An IT company, an advertising agency, or an architecture firm are primarily found via their website, networks, or recommendations – street presence plays a subordinate role.

Finding the right balance means analyzing your business model, your target audience, and your marketing strategy. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What percentage of my revenue comes from walk-in traffic?
• Do I primarily work by appointment or with spontaneous customers?
• Is visibility part of my brand strategy?
• Do my clients value discretion?
• Does my expected turnover justify the higher ground floor rents?

Specific Types of Use and Their Ideal Floor

Some types of use can be clearly assigned to a specific floor, while others depend on specific factors. Here is a detailed overview:

Clearly Ground Floor

• Retail: Almost all forms of retail benefit from ground floor spaces. The exception might be specialized retail stores that serve a niche target group.
• Hospitality: Restaurants, cafés, and bars require ground floor spaces for visibility and easy access. Exceptions are rooftop restaurants with a special concept.
• Banks and post offices: High customer frequency and accessibility make ground floor spaces indispensable.

Clearly Upper Floor

• Pure office activities: Administration, accounting, software development – all back-office functions are optimally housed on the upper floor.
• Coworking Spaces: Do not require walk-in traffic and benefit from quieter, more affordable upper floors.
• Warehouses and archives: As long as no frequent transport of goods is necessary, upper floors are more cost-effective.

Situation-Dependent

• Medical practices: General practitioners benefit from ground floor spaces due to accessibility for elderly patients. Specialists with appointment-based practices also manage well on the upper floor.
• Fitness studios: Can work both on the ground floor (for visibility) and on the upper floor (for cheaper rents with high space requirements).
• Law firms: Small law firms often prefer upper floors due to discretion and costs. Large, prestigious law firms can afford representative ground floor spaces.
• Showrooms: B2C showrooms require the ground floor, while B2B showrooms with appointment-based customers also function on the upper floor.

Conclusion – The Right Floor for Your Business Success

The choice between the ground floor and the upper floor is a strategic decision that must consider your business model, your target group, and your budget. There is no blanket answer – the ideal floor depends on your specific requirements.

If you rely on walk-in traffic, spontaneous purchases, and maximum visibility, the ground floor justifies the investment despite higher costs. For retail, hospitality, and highly public services, there is often no alternative.

If, on the other hand, your business works by appointment, relies on recommendations, or primarily involves back-office activities, the upper floor offers significant cost advantages coupled with a better working atmosphere and more discretion. The savings on rent can create the financial leeway that growing companies in particular need for their development.

Before you decide, you should conduct an honest analysis: How do you generate customers? What role does physical presence play for your brand? And how much rent can you realistically afford without jeopardizing your profitability?

At maison.work, you will find commercial spaces on all floors and in all locations across Switzerland. Use the filter functions to specifically search for ground floor or upper floor spaces and find the ideal location for your company.

Note: This article serves as a general guide. The specific requirements for commercial leases may vary depending on the canton, municipality, and the specific property. In case of legal questions regarding the lease agreement or uncertainties concerning the optimal choice of location, consulting a real estate expert or legal advisor is recommended.