Enge, Zürich: Executive Apartments Near Google and the Lake (2026)
The District 2 Advantage
- The Location: Enge hosts Google's Zürich offices on the former Hürlimann brewery site. Many streets are a short walk from both the office and the lake.
- The Inventory: A mix of historic villas and grand apartment buildings around the Rieterpark and Belvoirpark, plus converted industrial lofts.
- The Need: High demand for furnished units from people on project contracts and first-year assignments.
Enge (Zürich's Kreis 2) is the district to target if you work at Google Zürich or one of the insurers on the Mythenquai and want to walk to the office. It combines lake access and parks with quick links to the motorway and the main station. The trade-off is fierce competition for furnished and executive-grade flats, many of which are let without a public listing.
This guide focuses on living in Enge itself: which pockets to target, what the furnished sub-market looks like and how tenants actually secure apartments here. If you are still deciding between districts, start with our comparison of Seefeld, Enge and Zürichberg.
Located on the western shore of Lake Zürich, Enge has become a hub of the city's modern economy. It is home to Google's campus on the Hürlimann site and to major insurance headquarters such as Swiss Re and Zurich Insurance along the lakefront.
For the incoming Director of Engineering or VP of Sales, Enge offers the ultimate luxury commodity: efficiency. Living here means a short commute, direct motorway access for weekend trips to the mountains, and a quieter, greener feel than the busy east bank.
The Architecture of Enge
District 2 offers two distinct kinds of housing for the executive tenant.
1. The "Hürlimann" Industrial Loft
The conversion of the old Hürlimann brewery into offices, a spa and apartments created a small stock of industrial-style housing.
- The Look: High ceilings, large windows and a modern finish inside a historic industrial shell.
- The Tenant: Tech executives who want a "New York loft" feel with Swiss build quality.
2. The Historic "Bel Étage"
The streets around the Rieterpark and Belvoirpark feature some of Zürich's grandest historic villas and apartment buildings.
- The Look: Parquet floors, stucco ceilings, private gardens.
- The Tenant: Senior leadership and families who want space and green surroundings close to the city.
Where to Look Within Enge
Enge is compact, but micro-location matters:
- Lakeside (Mythenquai, General-Guisan-Quai side): Closest to the water and the insurance headquarters. Expect premium rents and fewer units.
- Around Rieterpark and Belvoirpark: Quiet, leafy and residential. The best area for families and for the historic "Bel Étage" apartments.
- Near Bahnhof Enge and Brandschenkestrasse: Most convenient for Google and the train, but busier. Two streets back, it becomes noticeably calmer.
- Towards Wollishofen and Leimbach: If Enge itself is too tight, the neighbouring Kreis 2 quarters offer more space for the money while staying on the same side of the lake.
The Market for Furnished Executives
Most of Zürich is let unfurnished on long leases, but Enge has a strong furnished sub-market.
Why? Because tech talent moves fast. People arrive for a project or a first assignment and need a high-spec apartment with fast internet, a home-office setup and quality furniture from day one. For the pros and cons of that choice, see our guide to furnished vs unfurnished renting in Switzerland, and for the wider Zürich picture, our guide to luxury furnished rentals in Zürich.
The Problem: Many of the best furnished units in Enge are not on short-stay platforms. They are held by private owners or boutique operators who prefer corporate tenants on longer stays, because it means less wear and tear.
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Off-Market Access in District 2
Because demand is so high, good public listings in Enge tend to disappear quickly. In our experience, a noticeable share of apartments changes hands through colleagues and replacement-tenant ("Nachmieter") arrangements before an advert goes online.
Landlords in Enge prefer to rent to:
- Verified corporate tenants: A permanent contract with a well-known employer makes you an ideal candidate. Have your complete rental dossier ready before you start viewing.
- Private network referrals: Platforms like Offlist connect these landlords with incoming professionals before a property is advertised. You can create a free private profile so owners can approach you directly.
Lifestyle Perks of Enge
Living in District 2 is not just about work.
- Belvoirpark and Rieterpark: Two of the city's most beautiful landscaped parks, home to the Museum Rietberg.
- Thermalbad & Spa Zürich: The rooftop thermal baths in the old Hürlimann brewery, ideal after work.
- Access: Bahnhof Enge has frequent S-Bahn connections, the lakeside promenade leads to the city centre on foot, and the A3 motorway starts nearby for trips south towards the Alps.
Conclusion
If you are moving to Zürich for a tech or insurance role, Enge is an excellent base. It combines the prestige of the lake with the efficiency of walking to work. To secure a key here, go beyond the public portals and tap into the private channels where much of the executive inventory circulates. If Enge is fully booked, the city's tightness also makes it worth looking along the rail lines. Winterthur is twenty minutes away by train.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Enge more expensive than Seefeld?▼
They are broadly comparable. Seefeld commands a premium for lifestyle and evening sun, while Enge commands one for proximity to major employers and its green, quiet streets. In our experience, a well-finished 3.5-room apartment in either district typically starts above CHF 5,000 a month.
Can I find short-term rentals (3 months) in Enge?▼
Yes. Because of the project-based nature of tech and consulting work, Enge has more business apartments than purely residential districts like the Zürichberg. Prices are higher than for long-term leases, so treat them as a bridge while you search.
Is it noisy near the train station?▼
Directly at Bahnhof Enge, yes. But move just two streets back towards the lake or the Rieterpark, and it becomes very quiet and green.
Is Enge good for families?▼
Yes, especially around the Rieterpark and Belvoirpark. Families who need a garden or larger floor plans often widen the search to Wollishofen or the left-bank lakeside towns south of the city.
About the Author
Benjamin Amos Wagner
Founder of Expat-Savvy.ch & Offlist | Connecting Expats with Homes
