Skyscraper. One needs patience and good nerves to build a high-rise in Vienna. This is somewhat difficult to grasp since the city is growing and nothing is more urgently needed than housing.
One needs patience and good nerves to build a high-rise in Vienna. This is somewhat difficult to grasp since the city is growing and nothing is more urgently needed than housing.
Vienna’s lack of residential high-rises has a historical tradition. When modern high-rises became more popular in the United States at the end of the 19th century, the trend was received with hesitation in the Austrian capital, although one had every reason to build upwards. The population of the city in 1910 was nearly 2 million and the number of inhabitants was expected to rise in the metropolitan centre of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Some predicted it would even double, but instead of building upwards, the city spread out.
The first high-rise building was erected in the 1930s in the Herrengasse and with its 15 floors and 52 meters, dominated the Vienna skyline for a long time, together with St.Stephan’s Cathedral. The Viennese remained sceptical about the breezy prospects of living high up in the air and 20 years went by before further foundations were laid: an office building in 1955 and an apartment building on Matzleindorfer Platz three years later.
Now would be the right time once again for upwards construction. Vienna is expanding and is already the second largest German-speaking city in the world. It is unlikely to catch up with Berlin, but it is expected to recall the “good old days” and once again have 2 million inhabitants by the year 2030. That is not to say that the municipal policy makers have mellowed concerning high-rise buildings.
High-rises would, however, be an interesting alternative for project developers and would provide the necessary housing that the city needs. “An apartment building is ONE of many solutions to the shortage of real estate in the city centres and is understood to be a vertical urban quarter,” says Michael Pech, Chairman of the ÖSW. He further explains that, “a great deal can be done to maintain the urban green and open spaces by constructing high-rises.” In July 2015 the ÖSW Group has handed over to the residents, the 80-meter high Leopold Tower in the 21st district with almost 250 apartments.
Since then it has been time-out once again on the vertical building front, until this autumn when Strauss & Partner is expected to complete the construction of “My Sky.” The prospective residents of the128 privately financed apartments in a 66-meter building are happily looking forward to moving in the autumn. “We are convinced that with “My Sky,” we are keeping our fingers on the pulse of time. The trend of high-rise living is here to stay,” maintains Claus Stadler, Managing Director of Strauss & Partner. He is convinced that,” the high demand is demonstrated by the keen interest in this type of housing.”
Mr. Stadler’s estimate was also confirmed by a survey conducted by findmyhome.at. About 79% of Austrians have a positive view towards residential towers. In fact more than half (52%) could imagine living in a high-rise. When asked for reasons, they reply that quality of life is important to them. Almost 80% of the clients spoke of the breathtaking views. However, the view is not the only criteria, the exceptional architecture is also vital and that is certainly available in the planned high-rises in Vienna.
“Danube Flats,” however, is a good example to illustrate how long it takes to realise such a construction project. Reinhard Schertler, Managing Director of the S+B Group, which has been working on this project on the Danube with the Soravia Group since 2010: “It is a once in a lifetime dream to build a high-rise - there is something fascinating about it.” Measuring around 150 meters, the “Danube Flats” will be the tallest apartment building in Austria. Situated on the waterfront of the New Danube near the Reichsbrücke (bridge), 520 apartment units will be created - nearly all of them with a balcony or a terrace. The entire surrounding area will be integrated into the project development with the infrastructural facilities such as gastronomy and shopping as well as green spaces should all blend into the environment. Chances are good that construction will already start this year.
The Soravia Group might also start another project this year, this one together with ARE Austrian Real Estate. However, “TrIIIple” is not an ordinary building, but three complementary towers, each over 100 meters tall and an additional office tower. This unique residential and commercial complex with 70,000 m2 should evolve on the grounds of the former customs house. Around 850 apartment units are being planned. The direct access to the Danube Canal follows the international tend of waterfront living - a direction that has long been common practice in many major European cities.
The market study “Inside View, Austria 2016,” conducted by the one of the largest international network of brokers, Knight Frank considered “TrIIIple” worth mentioning. Similarly to the MARINA TOWER, which will mark the ultimate step towards life on the waterfront in Vienna, according to the study. The MARINA TOWER will connect the Handelskai and the railway with the right bank of the Danube by a huge bridge construction called the MARINA DECK. As a result the tower is located in the middle of town, so to speak, but is still on the water and in the green countryside. The construction is expected to begin in early summer and last about two years, when over 500 rental and freehold apartments will be ready for occupancy.
Chances also look good for the high-rise building in the Stadtquartier “Forum Donaustadt.” The entire city-expansion region was purchased jointly for a three-digit million Euro sum by SIGNA Holding and ARE in the summer 2016. “It is important to us to avoid constructing mono-functional buildings and instead creating a complex of many that can be used together for corresponding needs,” explains ARE Managing Director, Hans-Peter Weiss. Six components on around 15,000 m2 would create a wide urban utilisation mix and one of them could be the apartment building. The tower of 145 meters would be one of the tallest in Vienna.
Yet another intercity residential tower could evolve along the Felberstaße on the obsolete railway tracks of the western line where a new city expansion is being planned. “There is already a preliminary survey for urban planning and the submissions by numerous architects have illustrated many fascinating ideas,” explained Herbert Logar, Managing Director of ÖBB Real Estate. Even if not all the ideas could be realised, “the location is suitable for attractive and interesting usage.” Around 1000 apartment units are being planned here an opportunity might also present itself, “to mark a new milestone,” says Logar, “where if not around a train station?” There would be no conflict with the UNESCO world heritage or the protection of historical sites regulations since Schönbrunn would not be affected by the apartment complex.