Wörgl is one of the youngest towns in the country. "You can see that," explains Mayor Michael Riedhart. In terms of spatial planning, the town is sparsely populated, with only Bahnhofstrasse, which connects the church and the train station, forming an urban core. "We want to strengthen this area and increase density in the center," explains Riedhart. "Property prices are becoming increasingly unaffordable and land in Tyrol remains a scarce resource. Those who love the countryside strengthen the town. That's why we not only want to densify Wörgl's town center, but also make the town tangible as a town," says Riedhart.
The first step in this process is a new urban quarter being built jointly by ZIMA & UNTERBERGER. The real estate experts are developing an urban ensemble on Bahnhofsplatz, where not only central and, if possible, car-free living will be possible, but also working and accommodation. "Hotel, offices, events and possibly even public uses such as a new gallery or library will find space here," says ZIMA Tyrol Managing Director Alexander Wolf. "It will be a contemporary place to live and work in a prime location - not just in Wörgl itself, but in the heart of Europe." Wolf is referring to the outstanding location: The whole of Europe can now be traveled to in a direct line from Wörgl's main train station. An opportunity for the town in the Tyrolean lowlands.
Viennese architects win Wörgl competition
"A central location like the station forecourt requires special ideas and several designs," says Mayor Michael Riedhart. For this reason, the municipality announced an architectural competition in which offices from Wörgl to Vienna took part. In the end, the competition jury, which consisted of investors as well as the municipality, unanimously chose a winner: the Viennese architecture firm Pichler & Traupmann, which also developed the modern ÖAMTC headquarters in Vienna or the new RLB Tyrol , for example, impressed all jury members with a modern design that incorporated the surrounding area in the best possible way. It was not only the outstanding architecture, which is unique to Wörgl, that was decisive. "Life needs strong inner values. This is precisely why the planning by Pichler Traupmann was so convincing. Logical and contemporary interweaving of areas that can be used together, clear routes for visitors, special living quality for the future residents. The interior of this building has made a big difference. In addition, it has opened up outdoor areas for the people of Wörgl like no other project and thus enriched the public space," Alexander Wolf and Mayor Riedhart describe it in unison.
From hotel to event space in the new quarter
There will be plenty of space in the new building complex. It is already certain that Innsbruck's top hotelier Harald Ultsch, whose group includes the Adlers and the Schwarze Adler in the provincial capital, will be prominently located on Bahnhofsplatz with a hotel with around 100 rooms. With his hotel brand "harry's home", guests will be able to find a classic hotel as well as a long-stay option at the station. The location of Wörgl, which is in the heart of Tyrol's leading industry and is also convenient for tourists, is predestined for the hotel concept. Both business travelers and tourists are expected in the homely studios, which function like small apartments.
A conference center is planned on the roof of the hotel, which will be used by the hotel as well as the companies in the district and possibly even the city. "The hotel, the offices or even the city regularly need small and large event or seminar areas, but nobody needs everything every day. The concept is to create and share space. For me, sharing is the future. It's about how everyone can benefit as much as possible," says Mayor Riedhart, who is impressed by the sharing approach. Even a new wedding hall on the roof would be conceivable. "If you can say 'I do' high above the rooftops of Wörgl with a great view, nothing can really go wrong," smiles Riedhart. Compared to the current premises of the registry office, this would be a quantum leap for the region, adds the mayor. For Riedhart, it is even conceivable that all municipal facilities could be located at Bahnhofsplatz in the future. "It's ideal in terms of transport, perfectly accessible for citizens, visitors and employees, including by public transport, and bringing the municipal utilities, city marketing and city office together would guarantee a special quality of service. In addition, our police station at Bahnhofsplatz would also make sense," says Riedhart. Only further discussions will show whether this will happen. "We will discuss this in the municipal council, the idea certainly has charm, but first the concepts of the developer have to be finalized.
