Rising 82 meters into the Viennese skyline, the APA-Turm stands as a silent giant. Officially named the International Press Center, it’s more commonly known as APA-Turm. It’s located in Döbling, Vienna’s 19th district. Let’s uncover its story.
Construction started in 1968 and was completed in 1970. The renowned architect Kurt Hlaweniczka designed this 13-story building. It was intended to be a hub for international media. The Austria Presse Agentur, APA, collaborated with the Vienna real estate company Ekazent on the project.
For over 30 years, the APA-Turm was a prestigious address. It housed the APA and other global news agencies. These included the German Press Agency DPA and news agencies from China, Iran, and Iraq. TV stations like Germany’s ZDF and Italy’s RAI also had offices here. Even a bank branch operated within its walls.
The APA-Turm offered 7,000 square meters of floor space. It served as a bustling office building until 2005. That year, the APA relocated. This event sealed the building’s fate.
After the APA’s departure, the tower became vacant. For over a decade, it stood empty and nearly forgotten. In 2013, the UNIQA insurance group, then the owner, sold the decaying building to Viennese architect Heinz Neumann.
Many plans were proposed for its reuse. A student hostel, serviced apartments, and a start-up center were all considered. There was talk of a loft and even a medical center. However, none of these plans materialized.
The architect, Heinz Neumann, expressed frustration. He cited building regulations and the lack of a nearby metro station as obstacles. The slow development of the Stadtquartier Muthgasse area also hindered progress.
In 2018, Neumann sold the APA-Turm to BAI Bauträger Immobilien. This is a subsidiary of René Benko’s Signa Holding. Before this, the building was known to contain asbestos. The new owner undertook months of work to remove this hazardous material. This involved sealing the building behind construction planks.
Interestingly, in the 1980s, the Kronen Zeitung newspaper also had a connection to the APA-Turm. After a falling out between Krone co-owners Hans Dichand and Kurt Falk, parts of the newspaper were housed here. Falk even installed a lit advertisement for his cigarette brand on the roof. This was deliberately placed within view of Dichand’s office.
Today, the APA-Turm’s future remains uncertain. Some suggest demolition and a new construction. Others propose renovation and repurposing. The debate continues.
As you stand here, looking up at the APA-Turm, you witness a symbol of changing times. It’s a reminder that even prominent buildings can face uncertainty. Whether it’s reborn or replaced, the APA-Turm’s story will remain etched in Vienna’s architectural narrative.