The (Meeting) Neighborhood(s) of the Future
Normally, the development of a new neighborhood, known in Vienna as a "Grätzel", takes centuries. In a growing city like Vienna, urban development projects help to develop new neighborhoods in just a few years. The diverse needs of a large city are taken into account during the planning process, including the need to accommodate meetings and events. In addition, the infrastructure and recreational facilities built are shared with local residents, creating and fostering a sustainable and positive atmosphere among participants.
A city within the city: Seestadt Aspern
One of Europe's largest urban development projects Seestadt Aspern has been under construction in Donaustadt, Vienna's 22nd district, since 2009. By the 2030s, it is expected that more than 25,000 people will live, work and study in the area surrounding the artificial lake. In just under 20 minutes, the U2 subway line takes commuters directly to the city center. Thanks to careful traffic calming, there is hardly any noise from the city.
The ARIANA Eventlocation offers distinctive architecture and state-of-the-art technical capabilities. The partitionable room can accommodate up to 560 people, and this doesn't include the stylish lobby and outdoor areas available. At 84 meters tall, the HoHo Wien is the second tallest wooden high-rise building in the world. It houses the Dormero HoHo Wien, an eco-friendly lifestyle hotel with several meeting rooms, the largest of which can accommodate 80 people. The Technologiezentrum Seestadt also offers fully equipped seminar and conference rooms for up to 100 people.
Seestadt's culinary offerings are also excellent. Enjoy, for example, breakfast or a snack at Café Leo, an evening meal and cocktails at See22, Italian cuisine with international flair at Portobello, or even a trip to the popular ice cream parlor on Schwedenplatz in the city center, which makes and sells ice cream. During summer, the neighborhood’s namesake lake stays nice and cool, so attendees are invited to pack a swimsuit along with their business clothes!
Perfectly connected: Sonnwendviertel and Quartier Belvedere
Urban development is also well underway around Vienna's central station in the tenth district: the Sonnwendviertel and the Quartier Belvedere. These newly developed neighborhoods also offer plenty of space for meetings. In the middle of the Sonnwendviertel is CAPE 10, a 400 m² social event location that can accommodate up to 320 people. Just a 10-minute walk away is world's oldest and largest museum of military history, the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, which offers an exceptional historical ambiance and can accommodate up to 300 people.
The Sonnwendviertel is a centrally located residential area in Vienna that meets all the needs of a modern city. The lush 70,000 m² Helmut-Zilk-Park is the centerpiece of the neighborhood, and great dining options are readily available: Mimi im Stadtelefant serves a varied lunch menu, Feldhase offers vegetarian dishes and a small selection of organic products, and Bio Mio brings fresh farm produce to the heart of the city. Pickling enthusiasts will love the famous Gegenbauer Vinegar Brewery, and for dessert, be sure to try one of Schelato's extraordinary ice creams.
The area around Hauptbahnhof, Vienna's main train station, is the hub of the city's local and long-distance public transit system and offers an excellent selection of nearby meeting hotels, including Hotel Schani Wien, Hotel Zeitgeist Vienna and the Novotel Wien Hauptbahnhof. The Aurora Rooftop Bar at the Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere boasts the unofficial best view of the city and the Quartier Belvedere on the opposite side of the station is particularly impressive with its vibrant glass-fronted Erste Campus. Just next door, Renzo Piano's Parkapartments am Belvedere reach high into the sky, bringing the designs of the renowned Italian architect (including the Centre Pompidou in Paris and The Shard, London’s tallest building) to Vienna. Belvedere 21, located across the street in the Swiss Garden, is the contemporary offshoot of the palace of the same name and can accommodate events for up to 900 people.
First choice despite its name: Viertel Zwei
Located next to Vienna's Prater, Viertel Zwei is a green oasis and an amusement park in one. Its 160,000 m² feature 13,000m² of green space, a lake, as well as a fountain which create a serene atmosphere. This new district, near the Krieau U2 station, is an ideal location for businesses and residents alike, with plenty of space for meetings. The Zoku Vienna, the Superbude Wien Prater and the Courtyard by Marriott Wien Prater/Messe are three modern hotels that offer space for various types of events. The Loft and Lumia venues also impress with their waterfront locations. The Vienna University of Economics and Business and the Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center are also located nearby. In terms of intelligent energy use and distribution, Viertel Zwei is a pioneering project. Here, renewable energy sources such as geothermal energy, ground water, sewage, waste heat and photovoltaics are optimally combined. As a result, 85% of Viertel Zwei's heating and cooling needs can be met using existing zero-CO₂ energy sources, making it perfect for your sustainable event.
In addition to work, there are many leisure activities to enjoy. The 3.3 square kilometers Grüner Prater recreation area offers idyllic outdoor setting, while action junkies can be entertained at the Wurstelprater. Local culinary highlights include an oriental breakfast of falafel and hummus at Baschly and after-work drinks or a casual dinner with friends at Finn or Campus. The historic grandstands at the Trabrennbahn Krieau racetrack were designed by art nouveau icon Otto Wagner and races are still held there today. Those looking to explore the neighborhood on foot can find guided walks in Vienna's City Guide App, ivie.
