Stachegasse 1-3

What secrets do the walls of Stachegasse 1-3 whisper? Here in Vienna’s 12th district, this unassuming apartment building holds a story woven into the fabric of postwar Vienna. Stachegasse 1-3 isn’t just a place of residence. It’s a testament to a city rebuilding, a symbol of social progress. Constructed between 1954 and 1955, Stachegasse 1-3 provided 99 apartments, designed by architects Hans Hassmann and Franz Peydl. Vienna, still recovering from the war, faced a severe housing shortage. The city, under Mayor Franz Jonas, embarked on a project of “Social Urbanism”. This initiative aimed to improve living standards. Stachegasse 1-3 embodies this vision. Initially, the apartments were small, duplex-style units, intended to be combined later as families recovered and prospered. This clever design addressed the immediate housing crisis while anticipating future needs. Every apartment at Stachegasse 1-3, unlike many older Viennese buildings, included a bathroom. The minimum size was increased to 55 square meters, a significant upgrade from the previous 42. The building itself is a study in thoughtful design. The three-winged structure comprises ten stairways, each serving three-story sections. Five stairways form a long row along Edmund-Reim-Gasse. A single stairway marks a separate building along Altmannsdorfer Anger. The third part, an L-shape, embraces Stachegasse. The architects cleverly staggered the five stairways along Edmund-Reim-Gasse. This created a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, preventing the long facade from appearing monotonous. Stachegasse itself, named in 1898, honors Friedrich August Ritter von Stache. He was an architect and teacher of the renowned Heinrich Ferstel. Stache, a man of many accomplishments, even won a prize for his city expansion plan. He contributed significantly to the founding of the Vienna Künstlerhaus, a testament to his influence on the city’s artistic landscape. Stachegasse 1-3 stands as a quiet reminder of Vienna’s resilience and its commitment to its citizens.