WED builds new landmark in Vienna

When the first sod is turned for DC Tower 1, Vienna will soon receive a new landmark. Right on the banks of the Danube a new office building is to be built in the most modern urban development zone – Vienna's Donau-City – which will also accommodate a hotel, possibly apartments, and public facilities.

"At 220 metres, DC Tower 1 will be the tallest building in Vienna and Austria, combining a unique blend of architectural design, the latest in "green" construction methods and functionality. This will create a new showcase project in Donau-City and one of the largest real estate projects in Austria, despite or perhaps even because of these economically challenging times", explained Helmut Bernkopf, Management Board member at Bank Austria responsible for Corporates & Investment Banking.

At 220 metres, DC Tower 1 will become the new highest building in Austria, taking over the mantle from the Millennium Tower Vienna which stands at 202 metres (including the spire). Star French architect Dominique Perrault, who amongst other things designed the French National Library in the 1990s and the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, was the brains behind the design.

The building has a net floor area of 72,700 square metres. Comprising 60 floors above ground level, the building should be completed in slightly less than 3 years by the end of 2012, with a
planned start in early 2010. The majority of the floor space totalling 43,700 square metres is earmarked for offices. One particular highlight of DC Tower 1 will be the inclusion of a 4* hotel. Spread over 18,300 square metres the hotel will comprise 255 rooms. The hotel will be run by the Spanish Sol Meliá Group, Europe's sixth largest hotel chain, and will stretch over 15 stories.

DC Tower 1 will be one of the first office buildings in Austria to be erected and furnished in accordance with the energy and sustainability requirements of the EU Commission for a "Green Building". It is intended that the building will be certified as a "Green Building" with gold or platinum status under the LEED rating system, which will represent a major competitive advantage both for future tenants and in the event of a later sale.

The project development and construction development tasks for the large-scale project are being handled by WED, whose shareholders are a consortium of Austrian banks and insurance companies led by Bank Austria. The investment is set to cost approximately €300 million.