Kino Handl: demolition and new apartments - memories of Vienna's cultural location

Kino Handl: demolition and new apartments - memories of Vienna's cultural location

The chapter on the legendary "Kino Handl" in Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus is now finally closed. With the completion of the demolition work on October 6, 2025, the place, which served as a cultural starting point for over 65, will give way to a new residential complex. In the future, 62 apartments and two business premises will be built on the outer Mariahilfer Straße, which will re -shape the cityscape.

Committed citizens, especially Friedrich Engl and Luka Šola, have launched a public call to honor the former cultural site. We are looking for personal memories, old cinema cards, photos or stories from the Handl cinema. No personal memorabilia have been received, but historical discoveries were made, such as those at the cinema operator Irma Handl. With her research in the archives, Sylvia Platzer demonstrated a good hand and found a photo of the influential personality of the Viennese cinema scene, which led the cinema from 1911 to 1976.

A piece of history

Irma Handl, born in 1870 as Maria Hahnl, played an important role in the cinema culture of Vienna. Under its aegis, the Kino Handl, which opened in 1908 and was relocated to Mariahilfer Straße 160 in 1911, experienced numerous conversion and extensions, which offered space for up to 700 visitors. With its cheap seats and lodges, it was one of the hotspots of the Viennese cinema world. Mariahilfer Straße was already one of the most important “cinema roads” with five cinemas in 1909 at the beginning of the 20th century.

An artistically designed construction fence is particularly remarkable, reminiscent of the historical place and was designed by employees of the district museum and other participants. This construction fence not only contains historical information about the Handl cinema, but also invites passers -by to immerse yourself in the eventful history of the place.

A legacy that remains

After completion of the new building, a plaque is planned to remind Irma Handl and its merits for the Viennese film culture. The exhibition on the Handl family history, which is currently accessible, also helps to ensure that the heir of this extraordinary personality is not forgotten.

The archive of the Vienna City and State Archives has adhered to the development of the history of the Handl cinema. The files from 1909 to 1937 were reorganized in 2018. Claudia Pieler and a team of interns were responsible for this who devoted themselves to the historical legacy of the cinemas in Vienna. The complete development of the documents is accessible to interested parties online and offers an insight into the eventful history of cinema, which shaped the cinematic life of the city for more than six decades. Fair conditions apply to the reproduction of archive material, and the digital stocks are freely accessible for non -commercial purposes, which is a valuable resource for historical researchers.

The memory of the Kino Handl will continue to live in a different form, while modern living will find its way into its place. A fresh start for an old place that will always be remembered by many Viennese and Viennese.

For more information, see the reports of Mine,, History Wiki and Wais Vienna.