Gasometer

Four historic gas storage towers from the late 19th century now form a multifunctional complex in Vienna's Simmering district. Built between 1896 and 1899, these 70-meter-high brick structures supplied the expanding city with gas until 1984, each holding up to 90,000 cubic meters. In the late 1990s, architects Jean Nouvel, Coop Himmelb(l)au, Manfred Wehdorn, and Wilhelm Holzbauer converted the industrial monuments into a contemporary hub combining apartments, offices, retail spaces, and event venues. The original exterior walls remain intact while modern buildings fill the interiors, demonstrating how Vienna repurposes its industrial heritage. The complex houses 30 shops, a cinema, restaurants, student residences, and a concert venue that hosts performances throughout the year. Accessible via the U3 metro line at Gasometer station, the site attracts visitors interested in architecture, urban development, and Vienna's industrial history. The towers stand as examples of late Habsburg-era engineering and the city's evolution from imperial capital to modern European city.

The towers stored town gas from 1899 to 1984, supplying Vienna's households and street lamps during the final decades of the Habsburg monarchy and through both World Wars, with each container holding up to 90,000 cubic meters.

These four former industrial gas holders represent a significant chapter in Vienna's transformation from the Austro-Hungarian Empire into a modern metropolis. Built between 1896 and 1899 to supply the growing city with gas for street lighting and heating, they served their original purpose for 85 years. The structures stand as monuments to late 19th-century engineering ambitions, when Vienna was modernizing its infrastructure to compete with other European capitals. Their conversion in the late 1990s exemplifies Vienna's approach to adaptive reuse, transforming industrial heritage into functional urban spaces while maintaining the connection to the district's working-class roots. The project brought new life to an area that had declined after deindustrialization, creating a mixed-use development that serves both residential and commercial needs. Today, visitors can observe how the city integrates its industrial past into contemporary life, with the original brick shells housing modern facilities that draw locals and tourists alike.

Visit daily to shop at 30 stores, catch a film at the cinema, or attend concerts at Gasometer D's event hall. The U3 metro stops directly at Gasometer station, making access straightforward. Photography enthusiasts can capture the contrast between the preserved 70-meter brick exteriors and the modern glass structures inserted within. Restaurants occupy the ground floors, offering dining options after exploring the complex. The interior courtyards remain open to the public, allowing visitors to observe how each architect interpreted the industrial spaces differently. Free architectural tours run monthly, explaining the conversion process and engineering details of the original 1896-1899 construction. The site works well as a stop when exploring Vienna's 11th district, combining shopping with architectural observation in about two hours.

During the 1990s renovation, construction teams found coal dust deposits several centimeters thick coating the interior walls, accumulated residue from 85 years of gas production that required specialized removal before work could proceed. Jean Nouvel designed the residential tower in Gasometer A, Coop Himmelb(l)au created the student housing in Gasometer B, Manfred Wehdorn planned the office spaces in Gasometer C, and Wilhelm Holzbauer conceived the events venue in Gasometer D, each architect bringing a distinct approach to adapting these industrial shells.

Location: Vienna

Capacity: 4200

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Part of: Gaswerk Simmering

Address: Guglgasse 6, 1110 Wien, Austria 1110 Wien

Website: https://gasometer.at

GPS coordinates: 48.18489,16.41997

Latest update: November 22, 2025 16:37