Stephansplatz 12
Tel. 535 6083
Subway: Stephansplatz
Open: 8am- 2am daily
The Haas Haus, located at Stephansplatz 12, 1010 Vienna, Austria, is a striking postmodernist building situated at the heart of Vienna’s Innere Stadt (1st district), directly opposite the iconic St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom). Designed by renowned Austrian architect Hans Hollein and completed in 1990, it is celebrated for its bold, reflective glass and steel facade, which creates a dramatic contrast with the historic Gothic architecture of the cathedral and surrounding buildings. The building’s controversial design sparked heated debates upon its unveiling, yet it has since become a significant architectural landmark, housing retail spaces, restaurants, and the headquarters of the DO & CO catering company.
Predecessors (1866–1985)
The site of the Haas Haus, at
Stock-im-Eisen-Platz adjacent to Stephansplatz, has a rich history tied
to Vienna’s commercial and architectural evolution:
1866–1867:
The original building was the Philipp Haas & Söhne flagship department
store, a grand structure in the Historismus style designed by architects
August Sicard von Sicardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll (known for the
Vienna State Opera). Completed in 1867, it was Vienna’s first major
department store, featuring an innovative iron-frame construction clad
in a historicist facade. The store specialized in carpets and furniture
fabrics, with branches in Lemberg, Prague, Graz, and Linz.
1945: The
Philipp Haas building was heavily damaged during World War II air raids
and subsequently demolished.
1951–1953: A functional postwar
building, designed by Carl Appel and Max Fellerer, replaced the
original. This plain structure was criticized as inadequate for its
prominent location opposite the Stephansdom and incompatible with
Vienna’s historic cityscape.
1985: The postwar building was
demolished to make way for Hans Hollein’s visionary project, marking a
bold shift toward contemporary architecture.
Construction and
Controversy (1985–1990)
Commissioned to replace the postwar
structure, Hans Hollein’s design for the Haas Haus began construction in
1985 and was completed on September 19, 1990. The building’s
postmodernist aesthetic—characterized by its shimmering glass facade,
curved forms, and reflective surfaces—clashed with the Gothic and
Baroque surroundings, particularly the Stephansdom. This contrast
ignited fierce debates:
Public Reaction: Many Viennese viewed the
building as an “atrocity” or “post-modernist wound,” arguing it
disrespected the historic urban fabric. Critics demanded a design that
blended more seamlessly with the Altstadt’s historicist ensemble.
Hollein’s Defense: Hollein argued that the reflective facade integrated
the old and new by mirroring the Stephansdom and surrounding buildings,
creating a dialogue between past and present. The design was intended as
a “stadtbaulicher Akzent” (urban accent), emphasizing Vienna’s evolution
as a modern metropolis.
Resolution: Over time, the Haas Haus gained
acceptance, with supporters praising its bold integration and unique
aesthetic. It is now considered a landmark of contemporary Viennese
architecture.
Post-1990 Developments
2002: The interior’s
original conical atrium, a hallmark of Hollein’s design, was removed
during a renovation to accommodate a Zara store, altering the building’s
spatial concept.
2014: The Uniqa Insurance Group sold the Haas Haus
to DO & CO, an Austrian catering company, for €106.6–107 million. DO &
CO now uses it as their headquarters, alongside retail and dining
spaces.
Today: The building houses the DO & CO Hotel, restaurants
(including the Michelin-recognized DO & CO Stephansplatz), and shops,
making it a vibrant commercial hub.
Overall Design
The Haas Haus is a quintessential example of
postmodernist architecture, characterized by its playful, eclectic forms
and rejection of modernist uniformity. Hans Hollein’s design responds to
its sensitive location with a combination of respect and provocation:
Materials: The facade features glass, steel, and blue-green marble,
with reflective surfaces that mirror the Stephansdom and historic
buildings, creating dynamic visual effects.
Form: The building’s
curved facade and projecting rounded bay (Erker) soften its presence,
aligning with the quadrant corner of Vienna’s ancient Roman castrum. The
curvature connects to neighboring structures, avoiding a stark
rectangular block.
Height and Scale: At approximately seven stories,
the Haas Haus is deliberately lower than the Stephansdom to avoid
overshadowing it, though its reflective surfaces amplify its visual
impact.
Contrast: The glass-covered facade, with its sleek, modern
lines, stands in sharp contrast to the Gothic spires and stonework of
the cathedral, embodying Hollein’s philosophy of integrating old and new
through juxtaposition rather than imitation.
Key Architectural
Features
Mirrored Erker (Bay Window):
The most iconic element,
the verspiegelter Erker (mirrored bay) projects outward, reflecting the
Stephansdom’s towers and creating a visual interplay between the modern
and historic. This feature was both celebrated for its ingenuity and
criticized for its audacity.
Curved Facade:
The facade’s
gentle curve follows the street’s contour, integrating with the urban
fabric while asserting a contemporary presence. The rounded window and
projecting roof enhance this connection.
Reflective Glass:
The
glass facade, with its blue-green tint, mirrors the cathedral and sky,
creating a chameleon-like effect that changes with light and weather.
This reflective quality mitigates the building’s perceived intrusion by
blending it with its surroundings.
Interior (Modified):
Originally, the interior featured a conical central atrium that opened
upward, creating a dramatic spatial experience. This was removed in 2002
for retail space, though the atrium’s loss is lamented by architectural
purists. The current interior includes shops, a hotel, and dining areas.
Roofline:
The roof features subtle postmodernist details, such as
asymmetrical elements and a projecting cornice, adding to the building’s
sculptural quality.
Critical Reception
Supporters: Many admire
the Haas Haus for its “well-detailed” design and “quality piece of
modern architecture,” appreciating how it “sits well within the historic
centre” by reflecting its surroundings.
Critics: Detractors argue it
is “inherently dated” and lacks “proportion, respect, and deference” to
the Stephansdom, disrupting the Baroque and Gothic harmony of
Stephansplatz. Some suggest it would be better suited a few hundred
meters away.
Consensus: The building is polarizing—“marmite” in the
words of one reviewer—loved for its boldness or disliked for its
context. Its 3.5-star Yelp rating and Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice
Award reflect this split.
DO & CO Stephansplatz Restaurant:
Located on the top floor, this
Michelin-recognized restaurant offers panoramic views of the Stephansdom
and Stephansplatz. The menu features Asian-inspired dishes (e.g., sushi,
sashimi), Viennese classics (e.g., Wiener Schnitzel), and desserts like
Zwetschkenknödel (plum dumplings) and Himbeerfeuer (raspberry dessert).
The rooftop terrace is a highlight, offering a “fantastic” view of the
cathedral. Service is generally professional, though some report
inconsistencies (e.g., being charged for spilled drinks).
DO & CO
Hotel:
An upscale boutique hotel occupies part of the building,
offering luxurious accommodations with views of the historic center. Its
integration into the Haas Haus enhances the building’s cosmopolitan
appeal.
Retail Spaces:
The ground and lower floors house
shops, including a Zara store (since 2002) and previously a Demel pastry
shop (noted for take-away). The retail focus reflects the building’s
commercial evolution from its department store origins.
Reflective Facade:
The facade’s reflections of the Stephansdom create
a “fascinating visual effect,” making it a popular backdrop for selfies
and photography. The interplay of old and new is a defining feature.
Historical Context:
The building stands on the site of Vienna’s
first department store, connecting it to the city’s 19th-century
commercial history. The Stock-im-Eisen (a medieval nail tree) nearby
adds historical depth to the location.
Architectural Innovation
The Haas Haus is a landmark of
postmodernist architecture, embodying Hans Hollein’s philosophy of
contextual yet provocative design. Its reflective facade and curved
forms challenge the historicist uniformity of Vienna’s Altstadt, making
it a symbol of the city’s willingness to embrace modernity while
preserving its past. The building’s completion in 1990, just before the
fall of the Iron Curtain, aligns with Vienna’s reassertion as a global
cultural hub.
Controversy and Acceptance
The initial backlash
against the Haas Haus reflects Vienna’s deep attachment to its historic
identity. The debates echoed earlier controversies, such as the 1950s
postwar building, highlighting the challenge of balancing preservation
with progress. Over time, the building’s integration into the
cityscape—through its reflective facade and commercial vibrancy—has
softened criticism, making it a “significant example for contemporary
architecture in Vienna.”
Commercial and Social Hub
As a
mixed-use building, the Haas Haus is a lively center for shopping,
dining, and hospitality. The DO & CO brand elevates its status, with the
rooftop restaurant and hotel attracting locals and tourists. Its
location at Stephansplatz, Vienna’s most visited square, makes it a
“popular meeting point” and a “symbol for the modern Vienna.”
Critical Perspective
While the Haas Haus succeeds as a bold
architectural statement, its postmodernist style can feel “dated” to
some, as postmodernism’s playful excesses fell out of favor by the
2000s. The loss of the original atrium in 2002 diminished its interior
impact, prioritizing commercial utility over architectural integrity.
Nonetheless, its reflective facade remains a masterstroke, creating a
dynamic relationship with the Stephansdom that justifies its place in
Vienna’s skyline.