Althan Quartier and Francis: Adaptive Reuse as an Urban Project

In the heart of Vienna’s ninth district, where for decades the Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof rail terminal and the former Bank Austria headquarters acted as both a physical and symbolic barrier, a new urban center is taking shape. The adaptive reuse of the office building above the station, now renamed Francis and designed by Delugan Meissl Associated Architects (DMAA) and Josef Weichenberger Architects (JWA), marks a paradigm shift, from an introverted structure to a permeable hub for the Althan Quartier.

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The decision to convert the building, rather than demolish and rebuild, was not just about design but also reflects a cultural and environmental stance, with retaining the existing structure drastically reducing the project’s ecological impact by saving large amounts of CO₂ and conserving resources. A study by sustainability expert, architect, and civil engineer Werner Sobek found that adaptive reuse reduced emissions by 67% compared with a new build, avoiding the use of over 122,000 metric tons (t) of concrete and nearly 11,000 t of steel. The figures have made Francis a reference point in the contemporary urban sustainability debate.

In this project, however, sustainability is not just an environmental metric. During construction, the quality of life of local residents was taken into account, with reuse resulting in roughly 10,000 fewer truck trips than demolition. Dismantling, removal, and recycling work took place almost entirely within the complex and in the underground loading yard, minimizing noise, dust, and construction traffic. This approach respects the local community while approaching construction as an everyday element of city life.

The most obvious outcomes of the project are both urban and spatial. The 2.4 ha Althan Quartier now functions as a link between Spittelau and Lichtental – neighborhoods that were long divided by rail lines and inaccessible buildings. New pedestrian routes, public and semi-public spaces, break areas, and a range of uses have injected a continuity into the urban fabric. Once dominated by the building’s monumental and insular presence, Julius-Tandler-Platz now has a more open, accessible, and inviting character.

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Adaptive reuse as an opportunity

A careful rereading of the original 1970s building by Karl Schwanzer was a key element of the project. By studying historic plans and archival documents, and creating a BIM digital twin, DMAA and JWA identified the reinforced concrete structure’s latent potential, which was remarkably efficient for its era. This analysis made it possible to approach the project with surgical precision, as the architects removed the mirrored façade and anachronistic monumental staircase, opened up the building base, and added terraces and new outdoor spaces. The result was an entirely new relationship between the building and the surrounding urban fabric.

The building’s former reflective skin was replaced with matte, satin-like stainless steel cladding, while increased density was achieved by adding two new floors, which are set back and blend seamlessly into the existing profile. Inside, eight floors of offices, totaling 40,000 m², provide flexible layouts, generous floor-to-ceiling heights of up to 3.5 m, and views from the nearby historic buildings to Liechtenstein Park and St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Francis is more than just a reuse project. It functions as an intelligent urban system, distinguished by full accessibility, integration with public transit and bike networks, supply logistics routed through its underground loading yard, upgraded safety and performance standards, and ÖGNI Gold certification. As Dietmar Feistel of DMAA commented, “Besides the ecological reasons, the spatial quality and flexibility of this modular structure, developed in the spirit of modernism, speak in favor of preserving the existing building fabric.” Francis is not only a successful project, but also an object lesson for the contemporary city.

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© Christian Pichlkastner

© Christian Pichlkastner

© Christian Pichlkastner

© Christian Pichlkastner