Architecture Of Linz
The third largest city in Austria and capital of Upper Austria, Linz has a rich and varied architectural heritage reflecting its long and eventful past. From the medieval Old Town to contemporary skyscrapers, Linz showcases a range of styles and influences showcasing the city’s cultural and economic growth.
The Old Town
Located on the south bank of the Danube, the historic center of the city is the Old Town of Linz. Its origin dates back to Roman times, when Lentia was a fortified community under Linz. Among the original medieval buildings preserved by the old town are the main square (Hauptplatz), the old town hall (Altes Rathaus), the cathedral (Mariendom) and the castle (Schloss). Numerous cathedrals, monasteries and museums displaying Linz’s religious and artistic heritage also call the old town home.
Narrow lanes, arcades and courtyards that foster a warm and attractive environment define the old town. Mostly low-rise, the buildings have a coherent appearance with white or pastel-colored walls, red tile roofs and wooden shutters. Because it provides a window into medieval life in Linz, the Old Town is both a protected area and a popular tourist destination.
The Inner City District
Surrounded by the old town, the city center district (Innere Stadt) extends to the train station. In addition to the cultural and entertainment core, Linz is also the administrative and commercial center. When Linz experienced rapid industrialization and population growth in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the city center was essentially created. Known as historicism, this architectural movement sought to reproduce and restore classical styles of the past, including neoclassicism, neo-baroque, and neo-renaissance.
Stately and elaborate buildings reflecting the wealth and reputation of Linz at the time predominate in the city center district. Among the most famous are the Landhaus, seat of the provincial government; the Musiktheater, the opera; the Brucknerhaus, the music hall; and the Postlingbergkirche, the hilltop pilgrimage church. Numerous monuments, sculptures, and fountains honoring Linz’s historical and cultural icons, including musician Anton Bruckner, poet Adalbert Stifter, and Emperor Franz Joseph I, also abound in the city center.
The Residential Areas
Linz’s residential areas are mainly located outside the historic city center, in the suburbs. Especially after the two world wars, they are the result of urban growth and societal transformations of the 20th century. The Heimatschutz style, which advocated simple and effective design honoring local customs and the environment, shapes the architectural style of these places. The National Socialist philosophy, which advocated a homogeneous and standardized aesthetic reflecting the political and racial aspirations of the dictatorship, also influenced the Heimatschutz style.
Large apartment buildings, usually grouped together in a courtyard or block, providing reasonably cheap and efficient housing for working class and immigrants in residential areas of Linz. Built or designed during the Nazi era, when Linz was meant to be a model city for the Third Reich, these structures are also known as “Hitler Buildings.” Among the best-known residential districts of this type are Kleinmünchen, Froschberg, Bindermichl and Franckviertel.
Integrated into the city of Linz in the 1930s, the residential districts north of the Danube – Urfahr, Pöstlingberg and Dornach – also contain many Heimatschutz-type structures. These places nevertheless have certain exceptions, such as Gugl, a famous and exclusive district which has many high-end residences and mansions. Around 1900, Linz began to attract wealthy and aristocratic people looking for a peaceful and picturesque place to reside. This helped the Gugl to be created.
The New Town Hall and behind it the towers of Lentia 2000
Completed in 1985, the New Town Hall is one of the most remarkable and unique buildings in Linz city center. Designed by architects Roland Rainer and Kurt Hlawenowiczka, the New City Hall is a complex of many connected buildings creating a “walkable hill” on the banks of the Danube. In addition to a public library, café and conference center, the structure houses the offices of the mayor, city council and several municipal departments. Terraced ceilings, a green facade and a close connection to the nearby park and river define the new city hall. The building is particularly notable for its creative energy idea, which reduces environmental impact through solar panels, heat pumps and water conditioning systems.
Built in 1978, the Lentia 2000 complex stands behind the New Town Hall, across the main road. Two high-rise towers, one 75 meters and the other 65 meters high, and a low-rise shopping center connecting them make this task complicated. While the shopping center offers a range of stores, services and entertainment choices, the towers, among the tallest buildings in Linz, are used primarily for residential and commercial purposes. Intended to provide greater living and working space in the city, the Lentia 2000 complex is a classic example of the high-rise development carried out in Linz in the 1970s. The complex is also frequently attacked for its monotonous architecture, which contrasts with the more organic and dynamic design of the new town hall.
Bruckner Tower, currently the tallest skyscraper in Linz at 99 m
Completed in 2009, the Bruckner Tower is another iconic element of Linz’s contemporary cityscape. Named in honor of the prominent composer Anton Bruckner, who was born and worked in Linz, the Bruckner Tower is a 99 meter high office structure. One of the largest steel companies in Europe and one of the city’s main employers, the Voestalpine industrial district is home to the skyscraper. Poppe*Prehal, the architects, sought to create a dynamic and elegant construction reflecting the industrial character and musical heritage of the site. The triangular shape of the tower tapers towards the top to produce a unique profile. Made of glass and steel, the facade features vertical and horizontal lines reminiscent of musical notes. The tower’s green roof also features insulation and rainwater collection. Currently the tallest tower in Linz, the Bruckner Tower offers a panoramic perspective on the city and its surroundings.
View of the City Towers 1 and 2 of Lenaupark from the area of the former freight station
Built in 2004 on the site of the former freight station, the Lenaupark complex is another example of Linz’s recent high-rise buildings. Among the complex’s various structures are two high-rise office skyscrapers, City Tower 1 and City Tower 2, measuring 67 and 57 meters high, respectively. After the Bruckner Tower, these towers are the second and third tallest structures in Linz. Architects Kaufmann & Partner designed the towers in a modern, understated style with a glass and metal facade. Additionally, curved, the towers maximize daylight and views while producing a dramatic appearance. Mainly businesses and corporations, including the Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce, the Upper Austrian Health Insurance Fund and the Upper Austrian Broadcasting Company, occupy the towers. For local residents and visitors, the Lenaupark complex also includes a hotel, cinema, fitness center and shopping center, providing a range of amenities and services. The Lenaupark complex is a significant urban redevelopment project that transformed a former industrial site into a vibrant and attractive mixed-use area.
Musical Theater
Opened in July 2013, the Musical Theater is one of the newest and most modern cultural institutions in Linz. The Volksgarten, a large public park south of the city center, is home to the musical theater. Terry Pawson, the architects, built a beautiful and sophisticated structure that blends in perfectly with the surrounding greenery. The theater is rectangular, with a sloping roof that resembles folded origami. Made of glass and white concrete, the facade features a large window offering a perspective on the city and the park. The theater presents a range of musicals, operas, ballets and events from 1,200 seats. Modern acoustics and technologies abound in the theater; it also has a cafe, a bar and a large lobby. A venue for both residents and visitors, the musical theater showcases Linz’s modern and energetic cultural landscape.
