PALAIS HANSEN KEMPINSKI
VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Among the imposing buildings that make part of the luxuri-
ous Schottenring Street in the Ringstrasse Boulevard, Vienna,
we may find a very particular one. A 19th century façade with
classical influences stands out, marked by the Greek goddess of
victory that watches over the building, hosts the noble and high
end Hotel Palais Hansen Kampinski – which name is a memo-
rial itself to the original architect Edvard Hansen. Indeed, the
listed Palais located in the first district, has been built between
1869 and 1873, planned by Heinrich Förster and Theophil Edvard
Hansen, who is known as one of the most important architects
of Ring Boulevard (Parliament, the Vienna Music Society...).
Originally planned as a hotel for the world exhibition in 1873
in Vienna, the Palais did not actually open as such. Just in 1997,
when the City of Vienna sold the building, the Palais Hansen
Kempinski Immobiliengesellschaft teamed up with the Kemp-
inski Group to start their painstaking restoration and to remodel
the building into a hotel. A talented team has joined together to
guarantee the legacy of the illustrious original architect, adding
a contemporary 21st century touch: The Vienna-based architect
Boris Podrecca and the Austrian architecture firm Atelier Hayde
Architekten were contracted to carry out the work, and Interior
designer Jean-Claude Laville was tasked with creating the Palais
Hansen’s interior design.
