The center of the spa is being renovated. In the course of the revitalization, a 35 meter high hotel tower is also to be built
The times when Bad Gastein was a ghost town should be over. Now the historic buildings in the center are being brought out of their slumber. The three Belle Époque buildings, which have been vacant for years and testify to a better time, were acquired by the Munich Hirmer Group with the condition that they be restored.
Flair is retained
The ensemble, built between 1791 and 1888, consisting of the Hotel Straubinger, the bathing palace and the k. and k. Post office, characterizes the center of the health resort and is a listed building. “It is a difficult project in a sensitive environment,” says Erich Bernard from BWM Architects, who as general planner are responsible for renovation, interior design and new construction. “The traces of decay must not be lost,” adds Markus Kaplan, one of the planners. He lists clocks, doorbell buttons, light switches, lights and floor coverings in the Hotel Straubinger. The heart of the hotel, the hall, should also retain its flair. The 50 hotel rooms and suites are designed in such a way that they represent the sophisticated world in the Alps and have a cosmopolitan flair. A café and a bar will be located on the ground floor of the five-star hotel.
Architecturally further developed
The bathing palace will also be preserved in its historical structure, but architecturally further developed. The future four-star superior hotel will have a new entrance and an extension in the second row. There will then be twelve hotel rooms in the Badeschloss, and 88 in the controversial hotel tower, which is 35 meters high. The fact that the new tower will tower over the surrounding buildings is causing a lot of discussion.
Pool on the hotel roof
This tower will have a dark artificial stone facade and sparkling windows behind which you will find free-standing bathtubs. A swimming pool on the roof of the skyscraper will attract the eyes of hikers. The project is expected to cost a mid-double-digit million euro amount, says operator Christian Hirmer.
Square ensemble
The building of the k. and k. The post office, the third of the Belle Époque buildings, is also being renovated. According to the plan, a concept store will be housed on the ground floor, while the floors above could be used as offices or seminar rooms. In the course of the revitalization of the historic buildings, which will shine again in new splendor, Straubinger Platz and with it the entire square ensemble are to be revitalized – many vacationers, visitors and locals should romp around here from 2023. In order to bring this to the center, a connecting tunnel is to be built between the historic and the current center with the ski area. This tunnel, which will be equipped with conveyor belts, and two parking garages are expected to be completed by 2026.
Straubingerplatz: historical center with bathing castle and old post office
The planned 35 m high hotel tower
The hotel suite in the Hotel Straubinger according to plans by the architects, the hotel is to reopen at the end of 2023
In the Hotel Straubinger – a planned suite in the picture – elements from the old house are to be integrated.
