New venues are springing up in Vienna all the time, adding fresh variety to an already impressive scene. We have summarized all the latest developments – including new arrivals, renovations and large-scale projects – in this article. It’s definitely worth keeping an eye on these locations in 2020.
MQ Libelle
After a year and a half in the making, the MuseumsQuartier will open its latest attraction at the end of April. Located on the roof of the Leopold Museum, the MQ Terrace and MQ Libelle will add a new dimension to the popular cultural complex. The panoramic views of Vienna’s historic city centre from the MQ Terrace, also open to the general public, are accessed via external lifts. The MQ Libelle – a multifunctional space measuring approximately 600 m² – is available both for art and culture projects and can also be hired for third-party events. From conferences and gala dinners to cocktail receptions, its central location, practical external space and a host of other contemporary features already have the MQ Libelle tipped to become one of the city’s most promising event locations.
DanubeSAIL at the ACV
The new covered space on Bruno-Kreisky-Platz – the danubeSAIL – will be officially inaugurated and enter into service as a congress hall in March at the European Congress of Radiology. The final touches are currently being added to space. Work on the new hall – the Austria Center Vienna’s largest construction project since it first opened around 30 years ago – began at the start of 2019. The danubeSAIL introduces an additional 4,200 m² of space to the venue – the area will also be available for the general public to use in various ways when it is not booked for events. Under the next phase of development, a new entrance building and a panorama walk will allow the different levels of the venue to be used independently of one another while providing direct access between the main building and the exhibition areas.
Hilton Vienna Stadtpark
Austria’s largest conference hotel, the Hilton Vienna Stadtpark, is currently being refurbished while normal operations continue uninterrupted. Once completed, the new-look hotel will have 660 rooms on 12 standard floors and three executive levels. At 50,000 m², it is the third-largest Hilton in Europe. The refurbishments will bring all of the rooms and conference spaces and the presidential suite fully up to date, as well as the lobby and bar and restaurant area on the ground floor. Former office space on the 13th and 14th floors is being converted into an additional 78 rooms and junior suites. The new spa and fitness zone opened in January 2020, while the new lobby, reception, restaurant, lounge and executive lounge will follow suit in May. All of the work is scheduled for completion by the end of 2020.
Palais Berg
Palais Berg adds another unique location in the heart of Vienna in 2019. The flexible venue on Schwarzenbergplatz comprises two differently sized main halls, and is equipped with high-quality sound and lighting systems, an 8 m² LED videowall and several projection surfaces. The appeal of the Lothringen Saal (380 m²) and the Pestalozzi Saal (100 m²) lies in their futuristic design elements and unique ambience. The Lothringen Saal can either be used on its own, or opened up to include the Pestalozzi Saal with a total area of 480 m². Other highlights at the event location include the light-filled reception area, as well as an additional seminar room (150 m²) which can be accessed independently of the other spaces and has its own buffet area. Palais Berg can be fully adapted to accommodate bespoke designs and configurations and is supported by a host of partner enterprises when it comes to catering and technical services. The location was converted by Söhne & Partner architects, who are renowned for their innovative space concepts.
Almanac Hotel
The former Radisson Blu Palais Hotel on Parkring will reopen in 2020 as the Almanac Vienna. Shaped by contemporary culture, modern design and authentic Vienna, the Almanac Hotel Vienna takes its inspiration from its immediate surroundings. This high-end lifestyle boutique hotel will open in a prime location right on the Ringstrasse boulevard in the fourth quarter of 2020. Stadtpark, a popular location for locals to relax, is located directly opposite. The hotel has 111 rooms, the majority of which are suites. Designed to make their mark on Vienna’s culinary scene, the bar and restaurant will focus on quality food and drink. The Almanac Vienna will also have a generous spa area, concept store, café, exclusive members club and a business and meeting center.
