IKEA has always been a favourite place for us. It’s not just for the meatballs that we go to visit, but to actually buy home necessities as little as a lint roller to organizers to cabinets, and bookshelves. The one that we visited the most is IKEA Nord in the 22nd district. The other one is too far off from us, 23rd district and is at the other side of Vienna – one I’ve never been to, yet.
Then there came the news of a new Ikea being built at Westbahnhof. This is the area where we first lived at. Today, my parents-in-law live in that flat and we still often pass by the same route. The blue building on the side (see photo) which housed Die Bäckerei (The Bakery) is where the kids and I often buy the best Nougatkrapfen (nougat donuts) from. The tram station is at the front and this one is what we take (Tram 58 and 52 then, 60 nowadays) when going to the Schönbrunn Palace and when they also go to oma and opa’s place. These trams run partly at Mariahilferstrasse, Vienna’s famous shopping street.
Talks about the sale of the building has been around in 2016, and the plans to start building was set early this year. In June of 2019, there were construction fences erected around the building. I passed by last week and took some photos of how the construction is going about.
Scaffolding up
Once the scaffolds were up, we knew that the construction would be starting (photo below).
News of IKEA building a new furniture store near Westbahnhof also came with the sad report that this huge building from the late 19th century had to give way. It’s actually a historical one. After weeks of demolition work, the “Blaue Haus” (Blue House) has now been completely torn down – a fate that also threatens the historic “Leiner House” (another furniture store) which is also located at Mariahilferstrasse (other end). The blue building was torn down by October of 2019.
Since the area is very near a Korean food shop/store we frequent, we can see its progress when we feel like having some Korean treats. I unfortunately wasn’t able to take a photo at those times, but I’m sure I have photos of the blue building back in 2002. 😀 I just have to look for it.
Greenest Spot Within A Busy Metro
The photo above is a rendering of how the building would be, a greenish architectural piece within the city which will really be a refreshing site and sight. The spot where this IKEA branch is being built on is an extension of Mariahilferstrasse. It’s just beside one of Vienna’s main train stations, Westbahnhof, one that services the whole of Austria. Westbahnhof is one of the busiest entry stations to Vienna, it has undergone a lot of renovations through the years and has now integrated proper food courts and shopping stores.
Although Vienna is relatively green, this particular IKEA will add coolness (both meanings) in the summers. It is strategically situated at the other end – where the string of shops are located. After walking and gawking at the whole of Mariahilferstrasse, people would find a refreshing spot to have lunch or a snack within a very green surrounding, with a bonus view of Vienna’s skyline.
IKEA Westbahnhof : Greenest IKEA
The building’s architecture sticks to being the greenest IKEA in Vienna, its facades will have continuously green areas on all sides to ensure fresh climate throughout. It will also have open shop windows that will flood the whole building with natural light.
The integration of a total of 160 trees within the store means that the temperature will drop by at least two degrees Celsius and the humidity most likely be better. A roof terrace, of course, full of plants will bring nature into the city center and will offer a wonderful view of Vienna as it would anywhere in the city from a height of 30 meters. The roof would most likely be open outside of the IKEA store opening hours- as a meeting point for friends to go stargazing.
