Architects : Dominique Perrault with Hoffmann and Janz

15 Jan 2008 Press Release:
VIENNA DC
Successful Concept Continued with Novel Landmark of Vienna


images © beyer.co.at

15 years ago, the development of the VIENNA DC, a multifunctional, modern quarter on the left bank of the Danube in Vienna, began. After the World Exposition of 1995 was cancelled for Vienna, the Donau-City - also known as VIENNA DC – was established as a second internationally acclaimed city center, in addition to the historic downtown quarter. WED AG (owner and responsible for the overall concept and realization of the Donau-City) has managed to create a high-end urban center as well as put it to outstanding use. An estimated 100 businesses, including global corporations such as IBM, GE Capital, Unisys, sanofi aventis and Strabag SE (construction holding), and renowned hightech companies have set up their offices at VIENNA DC.

The property covers a total area of 18,5 ha, approx. 1.93 mio. m³ were constructed overall. This corresponds to a gross floor space of about 550,000 m². The overall volume of investments amounts to a total of roughly 2 billion euros, currently making VIENNA DC the largest Austrian real estate project by far. Nearly two thirds have already been completed and are being used. Today, over 8,500 people live and work there. This figure will rise to over 15,000 in the course of final construction, until completion. The pedestrian level without traffic in the Donau-City is unique throughout Europe. Furthermore, VIENNA DC is one of the most interesting areas of urban development, due to its location by the banks of the river and its proximity to the adjacent parks.

The DC Towers – Novel Landmarks of Vienna
Due to the rapid development of this quarter, a revised masterplan for the remaining building area was created by the French architect Dominique Perrault under contract for the WED AG. The next step will entail designing of the core area – currently open space – and the transient area towards the New Danube. The erection of Austria’s highest tower – DC Tower 1 – deserves special attention. The skyscraper will not only be the highest office building throughout Austria – featuring a height of over 220 m, 60 floors and 86,500 m2 gross floorspace – it will, without a doubt, become the most spectacular in all of Austria thanks to its architectural style. DC Tower 2 has been planned somewhat lower – featuring a height of about 160 m, 46 floors and approx. 58,000 m2 gross floor space. The height of the towers results from the ambition to maintain the eye-catching aesthetic of a slim tower while constructing the determined cubic dimensions.

The unique design, along with meeting the highest architectural standards and outstanding building qualities of the two skyscrapers, developed by Dominique Perrault in cooperation with the architects Hoffmann and Janz, will provide Vienna with a novel landmark.

Thus, two additional and equally important and impressive landmarks will characterize the skyline of Vienna in the near future. “The City of Vienna is adhering to its own standards by aiming at remaining one of the most important and most innovative cities throughout Europe in the future – not only historically,“ Thomas Jakoubek, CEO of WED AG, says.

Vienna buildings : key architecture



DC Towers Vienna - masterplan architect : Dominique Perrault

WED - Wiener Entwicklungsgesellschaft für den Donauraum AG - an offspring of the original EXPO AG from 1991, and currently featuring holdings by Austria’s largest banks and insurance cpompanies (BA-CA, Erste Bank, Raiffeisen, BAWAG, Investkredit Bank AG, UNIQA, Wiener Städtische), is the owner and responsible for the overall development of VIENNA DC.

DC Towers - Website: www.dctowers.at

Vienna building architect - Hans Hollein

Viennese building photos



World Architecture : e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe

Austrian Architecture

Dominique Perrault Architect - Background

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DC Tower Vienna : page - adrian welch / isabelle lomholt