Forty-one homes. That’s what makes up the Edwin-Schuster-Hof. Imagine the lives lived within these walls.
Here we stand before the Edwin-Schuster-Hof a Gemeindebau in Vienna’s 19th district Döbling. It’s more than just apartments. It’s a piece of history. Named in 1989 it honors Edwin Schuster a man who fought against Austrofascism and Nazism.
Schuster joined the Social Democratic Workers’ Party in 1912. He worked as a railwayman on the Franz-Josefs-Bahn. He was also active in the union. He even served as the chairman of the education organization within the SDAP Döbling. His dedication to education and his opposition to oppressive regimes made him a hero.
His bravery cost him his life. In February 1942 he was arrested for “communist activities”. Months later he was sent to the Mauthausen concentration camp. He died there that summer under unclear circumstances.
The Edwin-Schuster-Hof itself tells another story. Built between 1958 and 1960 it shows architectural ingenuity. Architect Hans Steineder cleverly incorporated older winegrower houses into the design. This saved the historical character of Nussdorf’s old town center. The new building blends seamlessly with the old. You can still see the original winegrower’s cart entrance. It now serves as access to the parking area in the courtyard.
Look closely. A beautiful stone sculpture of a winemaker stands in the courtyard. Ernst Wenzelis the sculptor captured the essence of the area’s winemaking history. The sculpture serves as a reminder of the area’s past. It also adds to the overall beauty of the Edwin-Schuster-Hof.
The Edwin-Schuster-Hof is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a testament to resilience. It remembers the struggles of the past. It celebrates the strength of the human spirit. It represents the community spirit that still thrives in this beautiful corner of Vienna. It is a living memorial to Edwin Schuster a man who dedicated his life to fighting for what he believed in.