Vienna knew the value of these amazing structures couldn’t be left to dematerialize before their eyes so in 1992 the city called for new ideas that would revitalize these monuments. What came were designs by the architects Jean Nouvel, Coop Himmelblau, Manfred Wehdorn and Wilhelm Holzbauer, and between 1999 and 2001 the Gasometers were gutted leaving only the brick exterior and parts of the roof. The structures were then renovated into 615 new apartments, a student dormitory, offices, a day care center, a multiplex, over 70 shops, restaurants, bars and cafes an events hall, and the Vienna National Archive!
Today the gasometers form a unique city center all their own, with a strong sense of community given its abundant housing and diversity of destinations. Numerous theses and dissertations in psychology, urban planning, journalism and architecture have been written about the phenomenon which has arisen from the project.
amazing! i wonder what the interior of the apartments look like. its must be such a cozy place in the winter.
I’m with you, Brie — At 80 years old really am excited about this place. unfortuntaely I’m headed for a retirement community – albeit one with life care. Have fun!
I want to live there, nyc sucks