Beneath the surface of this seemingly ordinary housing complex lies a story of resilience. This is the Karl-Höger-Hof. It stands as a testament to Vienna’s tumultuous past.
The Karl-Höger-Hof is a municipal housing complex in Simmering. It is located at Lorystraße 40-42, Ehamgasse 5, Grillgasse 26-30, and Hakelgasse 15. This impressive structure was built in 1925 and 1926. Franz Kaym, Alfons Hetmanek, and Hugo Gorge designed it. In 1927, it was named after Karl Höger. He was a respected figure. A memorial plaque honors him near the courtyard fountain since 1947.
Originally, the Karl-Höger-Hof had 260 apartments. Now, it houses 220. Seventeen staircases connect to a large courtyard and two smaller ones. The passageway on Lorystraße spans two floors. A bold gateway enhances the entrance. Geometric patterns decorate the large plaster fields.
Facing Hakelgasse, four subtle elevator attachments add rhythm to the long facade. Notice the flattened corner at Ehamgasse. Distinctive framed windows accent it. A memorial stone honors nine bombing victims from 1944. The facade lists names of those persecuted by the Nazis after 1938.
During the February Uprising in 1934, the Karl-Höger-Hof became a battleground. On February 12, 1934, the Republikanischer Schutzbund set up a first-aid station here. The federal army attacked the building the next day. The Schutzbündler surrendered on February 14. Two people died in the fighting.
On December 11, 1944, a devastating air raid struck the Karl-Höger-Hof. Fifteen bombs hit the complex. Eleven residents died. Many were injured. Ninety-four apartments were destroyed. After the war, the Russian occupying forces used it as a reception camp. The community worked to repair the damaged apartments. In July 1946, Mayor Theodor Körner unveiled a memorial stone in the courtyard. It commemorates the victims of the 1944 bombing.
Between 2004 and 2006, the complex was renovated. Windows and doors were replaced. It was connected to district heating.
Like the nearby Friedrich-Engels-Hof, the Karl-Höger-Hof features geometric facade decor around some windows. A monumental two-story entrance leads from Lorystraße to the courtyard. A former fountain stands in the courtyard. A plaque was added in 1947 to celebrate Karl Höger’s 100th birthday. Nearby, surrounded by greenery, stands the memorial stone for the victims of the 1944 bombing. Near the entrance, a plaque remembers the Datz family. The Nazis expelled them from the building in 1938.
Today, the Karl-Höger-Hof stands as a protected monument. It reminds us of Vienna’s past. It embodies resilience. It showcases community spirit. Take a moment to appreciate its history.