A symphony of brick and glass. That’s Gemeindebau Mittelgasse 25. A modern marvel nestled in Vienna’s 6th district.
Gemeindebau Mittelgasse 25 isn’t just an apartment building. It’s a testament to Vienna’s post-war architectural ingenuity. Designed by Franz Haiden this five-story structure boasts a unique aesthetic. It’s a prime example of Viennese Postmodernism. Its facade is almost mirror-like. It’s centered around a prominent staircase.
Built between 1993 and 1994 it houses 37 apartments. Before this modern structure stood a three-story building. That building from the 1860s featured a continuous grooved facade. It housed nine apartments and a shop. The demolition permit for that older building dates back to 1988. A temporary parking lot briefly occupied the site. That lot included the land now occupied by Gemeindebau Mittelgasse 25 and Strohmayergasse 4.
Notice the facade’s horizontal grooves on the lower two floors. The upper floors contrast with a smooth surface. A strong intermediate cornice separates these zones. The building’s vertical lines are defined by differently designed window axes. The outermost axes have the largest windows. The entrances are deeply recessed. They’re accented by contrasting colored columns. One entrance leads to the residential section. Another opens into a daycare center. Both are mirror images of each other.
Franz Haiden’s influence extends beyond Gemeindebau Mittelgasse 25. This architect is also known for other communal housing projects in Vienna. He also designed the nurses’ home of the Wilhelminenspital. He studied architecture at the Vienna University of Technology.
The street’s name Mittelgasse itself holds a historical significance. Meaning middle street it reflects its location. Mittelgasse sits between Gumpendorfer and Mariahilfer Strasse. It was once called Gerbergasse. The name changed in 1862.
So stand here and absorb the story of Gemeindebau Mittelgasse 25. It’s a quiet narrative of urban renewal. It’s a testament to Vienna’s continuous evolution. It’s a building that seamlessly blends past and present.