Demolition of the Lamarr department store: Vienna is changing its cityscape!

Demolition of the Lamarr department store: Vienna is changing its cityscape!

Mariahilfer Strasse, Vienna's most popular shopping street, is in turmoil. The old Lamarr department store at Mariahilfer Straße 10 to 18 has been demolished since the summer, with everything except the first floor having to go. The planned project comes from the well-known investor René Benko and is directed by a subsidiary of the Stumpf Group, which took over the unfinished structure from the insolvency of the Signa Group. The demolition work is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023, although the facade is not scheduled to be dismantled until February 2026. Meanwhile, the construction equipment can be heard every day and not only causes vibrations on the ground, but also a lot of excitement among residents and business owners.

The condition of the structure, which currently looks like a dilapidated skeleton - with steel elements protruding from the open concrete edges - contributes to the skepticism. District leader Markus Reiter from the Green Party was critical and criticized both compliance with building regulations and possible environmental impact from the demolition. In the wake of these disputes, the district has taken sensible measures. A construction site ombudsman was appointed and the visibility of the surrounding shops was improved, which is important for the quality of the shopping street.

New plans for the Lamarr site

But what happens after the demolition? The vision for the future Lamarr site includes retail space, apartments and a hotel. Completion is planned for the end of 2027 or beginning of 2028. In order to realize this ambitious concept, adjustments to the room heights are necessary, which is why partial demolitions are unavoidable. Great emphasis is placed on sustainability. Management has promised that all materials will be recycled, a measure intended to reduce the project's environmental footprint.

Aside from the demolition, something has happened in the world of video games that might also be of interest to many. The gaming platform ABRISS left early access on September 5, 2023 and now offers an exciting experience for fans of demolition, albeit in virtual form. The game, which runs smoothly on modern gaming laptops, has already gained a large fan base and is available in several languages, including German. Players can explore the world of demolition and face challenges - but if you like captivating casual games, you could also find what you're looking for on the Pogo platform.

A look outside the box

Pogo has been active since the late 90s and offers a wide range of casual games, from card games to puzzles to adventures. The platform values ​​user-friendly navigation and regular updates that provide a breath of fresh air. There are also community features such as leaderboards and daily challenges that further enrich the gaming experience. Whether as a simple pastime or a serious challenge, Pogo's games appeal to all ages and promote a sense of community.

While the old Lamarr department store in Vienna finally becomes history, gamers here have the opportunity to experience the joy of demolition in a whole new way, be it through ABRISS or the relaxed games of Pogo. It will be exciting to see how Mariahilfer Straße will develop in the coming years!