In my area (Schmiede Wiedikon), I can see many buildings that are being completely renovated.

Where can I find these advertised for rental before the renovation is completed?

I'm guessing the Life Insurance companies etc. that own these buildings don't just wait until the renovation is complete and then advertise them on Homegate.

You can advertise things on Homegate that aren't available until sometime in the future (e.g. 3 months from now). Given the number of buildings being renovated around me, I'd expect to see at least a few of these popping up on Homegate now (but with the moving-in date being whenever the renovation is complete).

However, I don't see such rentals on Homegate - so I assume the companies commissioning these refurbishments are finding their initial tenants some other way.

So the question is - do you know how?

I've lived in this area for 15 years and have to move out (by Jan 21st, 2022) because my building is itself being renovated. I'd love to move somewhere nearby and would like to be able to consider all the existing renovations occurring around me but don't know how.

I know, I'd have to pay a significant premium on moving from my current places (that hasn't been refurbished in decades) and maybe the rental prices will be too high for me but I'd like to see what they are.

Any insight you can provide into all this would be much appreciated.

A lot of them have their own web site, you just have to find out what it is. It is usually printed on the big board they put up showing the builders etc. You then apply through there first when they officially make them available, I guess whatever is left is then put onto Homegate.