“A legendary Viennese establishment” whispered the wind through the leaves. This is the Ehem Etablissement Gschwandner. Right here in Hernals.
The Ehem Etablissement Gschwandner wasn’t always known as the REAKTOR. For almost 130 years it was a beloved Viennese Heuriger. It was one of the last pre-city entertainment venues from the 19th century. Imagine the lively sounds of laughter and music echoing through these very walls.
Johann Gschwandner a winemaker started it all in the 1830s. His son Johann Nepomuk later rebuilt the main hall in 1877. He added to it in 1887 and 1906. The building grew and became grand. It hosted concerts balls and even boxing matches. Famous musicians played here. The Schrammel brothers were among them.
This wasn’t just a place for locals. Even prominent Viennese figures visited. Ferdinand Sauter a notable name in Viennese society was a frequent guest. The Ehem Etablissement Gschwandner hosted events for all social classes. It was a true melting pot of Viennese culture.
In the 1960s the family business closed. The building fell silent. Time passed. The once vibrant space became a storage facility. But the history remained.
Then Bernhard Kammel saw the potential. He lovingly restored the building. He carefully integrated modern technology. He reopened it in 2018 as the REAKTOR. A transdisciplinary center for the arts.
The large hall with its wooden columns and decorative capitals still stands. The vaulted cellars a reminder of the building’s long history are still there too. They once belonged to the St Stephen’s Cathedral chapter. They now provide a unique space.
The REAKTOR is a testament to the past and the future. It respects its heritage. It also embraces new forms of artistic expression. The Ehem Etablissement Gschwandner lives on. It is a space of cultural exchange. A place where history and art intertwine. The legacy of the Gschwandner family endures. Their spirit lives on in the heart of Hernals.