A 20-year abandoned house in the center of Kleinzell, Austria, has been transformed into a modern senior living facility and recognized as one of 20 winning projects in the European competition for building culture and town center revitalization. The former Gasthaus Wiederstein was selected from several hundred submissions across Europe for its exceptional restoration and community impact.
The revival project was a collaborative effort between ProNah GmbH, SPES Future Academy, and the municipality of Kleinzell. Following plans designed by architect Richard Steger, the historic building now houses ten residential units for seniors along with spacious common areas for shared community activities. The specially established association "Wohnen mit Service" (Living with Service) ensures the building maintains an active, vibrant atmosphere for its residents.
"As a municipality, it's important for us to preserve such old houses because they have soul," said Mayor Klaus Falkinger. Much of the original building structure was successfully preserved during the renovation process. Falkinger expressed confidence that the successful revitalization, architectural quality, and significant role in revitalizing the town center all contributed to receiving the prestigious recognition.
The European Building Culture Award came with a prize of 30,000 euros. The project, which was supported by the Danube-Bohemian Forest LEADER region, serves as an exemplary model for other municipalities and regularly attracts visiting delegations seeking to learn from the successful transformation.
During the award ceremony, Federal Minister for Europe Claudia Plakolm praised the efforts to preserve and highlight the building's unique characteristics. Kleinzell is also recognized as one of Austria's 16 "Future Places," where town center revitalization represents a central focus of community development initiatives.
The ground floor of the renovated building additionally features professional practice spaces, with approximately 180 square meters still available for rent and can be subdivided as needed. Those interested in the available spaces can contact the organization at Tel. 07582 82123-42 or email brandl@spes.co.at for more information about rental opportunities.
