Was it revolutionary housing or just a place to live? This is the Klose-Hof. It stands as a testament to Vienna’s social ideals. The Klose-Hof is a Gemeindebau in Döbling. Döbling is Vienna’s 19th district. Built between 1924 and 1925, it houses 143 apartments.
The Klose-Hof is named after Viktor Klose. The naming happened in 1949. Klose was a Schutzbündler. He died in the clashes of February 1934.
Before the Klose-Hof, this area was gardens. The streets around here were laid out when the Klose-Hof was built. The Pestalozzi-Hof next door was built around the same time. The Klose-Hof even had its own kindergarten once.
Viktor Klose’s story is intertwined with this building. On February 12, 1934, he gathered with others. They met at a school on Grinzinger Straße to get weapons. As they left, police ambushed them and Klose was shot.
The Klose-Hof got a makeover between 2003 and 2005. The renovations cost about 8.1 million euros. They fixed the roof, facade, windows, and doors. The building was connected to Vienna’s district heating system. Eighteen new apartments were added during the renovation.
Several notable people called the Klose-Hof home. Berta Grünberg the painter lived here. Leopold Wolfgang Rochowanski a graphic artist and writer also lived here. Architects Karl Schrittwieser and Ferry Wöber resided here too. Rochowanski later published a book for Josef Hoffmann’s 80th birthday.
Josef Hoffmann designed the Klose-Hof. It was his first Gemeindebau project. He designed a five-story block on a near-square plot. The original plan included a central residential tower. The facade is simple. It features scattered floral decorations. Red, three-pane windows add structure. The staircase windows are slightly recessed. Loggias face Peezgasse.
The Klose-Hof has two main entrances. The main entrance faces Werkmanngasse. It offers direct access to the courtyard. Another entrance on Philippovichgasse leads to staircase 2. This entrance has a grand portal. Anton Hanak created the “Früchteträgerinnen” sculptures here. He worked from Hoffmann’s plans. The other eleven staircases open onto the courtyard. The Klose-Hof stands as a reminder. It reminds us of Vienna’s history. It reminds us of social change.