Conversion of the headquarters of Erste Bank into a 5-star Rosewood Hotel
In the heart of the city, BEHF Architects were commissioned to transform former offices of the Erste Bank Group Headquarter into a stunning five-star hotel. Four separate historic buildings, which date back to different centuries, were carefully restored and interconnected from the inside. These houses are located in the pedestrian zone between St. Peter’s Square, Tuchlauben and Graben.
The architects carried out the conversion carefully to enhance the authenticity of the heritage buildings and yet create a top-notch architecture within the historic structure of Vienna’s Old Town. As the facades are entirely in the urban conservation zone, the outer appearance was treated with particular sensitivity: The facades of the main floors were renovated in a contemporary manner and as far as possible left in their original design or restored to it.
The driveway and the main entrance to the hotel are situated on St. Peter’s Square – one of the most popular Viennese squares. Another entrance is located on the pedestrian street Tuchlauben. The lobby area is accessible from both entrances. From there, via three guest lifts or two historic curved staircases, guests can reach the hotel rooms, suites and a wellness area on the fifth and sixth floor. There is a restaurant, called “Neue Hoheit”, on the top floor that is open to the public. It has an independent access via a separate elevator from Tuchlauben. Lastly, a rooftop bar with terraces and a rooftop garden, designed to improve the microclimate in the city, crowns the roofscape. It offers amazing views of the downtown.
