Historically, Vienna has been divided into 23 unique districts. Each of them can offer its residents and tourists different aspects of urban life – from comfortable places for work and business to attractive spaces for recreation and leisure. In this article, we would like to introduce you to one of the most popular districts in Vienna – the Innere Stadt.
District 1: Innere Stadt
Vienna’s 1st district, also known as Innere Stadt, is the historic center of the Austrian capital. This district is considered the heart of Vienna and boasts many historical and cultural attractions. The 1st district is bordered to the northeast by the 2nd district (Leopolstadt), to the east by the 3rd district (Landstrasse), to the south by the 4th district (Wieden), to the west by the 6th district (Mariahilf), 7th district (Neubau) and 8th district (Josefstadt), and to the north by the 9th district (Alsergrund).
Area and population
Innere Stadt has a small area, as it is essentially the Inner City. The area of Vienna’s 1st district is about 3 square kilometers. It is one of the smallest districts in terms of population compared to other districts in the city. In addition, Innere Stadt is the only district where the population is gradually decreasing (as of January 2023 – 16620 inhabitants).
Real Estate
In Innere Stadt, you can find a variety of property types – from the famous Austrian altbau to new residential complexes. However, as District 1 is located in the heart of the city, it is more common to find old houses. The cost of housing in Innere Stadt can be higher compared to other districts of Vienna due to its favorable location and historical value. According to the statistics website immopreise.at, the average price of an apartment in the 1st district of Vienna as of November 2023 is €19699/m2. It is interesting to note that as of April 2023, the cost of 1 m2 of housing in the 1st district was €17604. As you can see, property in Innere Stadt is actively growing in value.
Thus, buying or renting an apartment in Vienna’s 1st district is not only a way to get closer to Austria’s key cultural and historical sites, but also a fairly profitable investment in your future.
Prestigious property
Apartments in Vienna’s 1st district are particularly valued near the Vienna Opera, the Rathaus, Stefanplatz and Karlskirche. You can buy or rent an apartment in Vienna’s 1st district in the following residential complexes:
- Imperium Residence (Neuer Markt 8, 1010 Wien) – located on Vienna’s Neuer Markt square, which is more than 700 years old, in a building that once belonged to the legendary Schwarzenberg family. The building, steeped in history and tradition, was built in 1743 and is conveniently located close to the great sights of the imperial city;
- Werder Six (Werdertorgasse 6, 1010 Wien) – The residential and office building at Werdertorgasse 6, built in 1876, has been given a modern face by Werder Six. The facade of the old building hides the original concept of modern housing inside – stylish new apartments with plenty of green space in the courtyard, with roof terraces and loggias;
- Am Werdertor – Étages De Luxe (Werdertorgasse 5, 1010 Wien) – built in 1869 as an imposing residential and commercial building in the Wilhelmine style. A special feature of this residential building is the presence of its own well-equipped spa center with a large swimming pool, children’s pool and fitness room on the ground floor;
- Opernresidenz (Goethegasse 1, 1010 Wien) – nine 2- and 3-room apartments on the fifth floor, as well as two penthouses on the top floor were created during the revitalization of the historic building. The penthouses impress not only with their central location, but also with their breathtaking 360-degree views.
Educational facilities
When considering this point, it is important to keep in mind that due to the small area of the 1st district, the number of kindergartens, schools and universities may be smaller here compared to other parts of the city.
Kindergartens:
Kindercompany – has been operating since 1995 and is a prime example of excellent pedagogical work. This network includes 24 kindergartens in Vienna that are open all year round. One of the main advantages of Kindercompany is the possibility of studying in bilingual groups (English/German), as well as a multifaceted range of educational areas.
Schools:
Akademisches Gymnasium Wien is known for its academic approach to education and preparation of students for admission to higher education institutions. By the way, the Ukrainian Saturday School in Vienna has been successfully operating on the territory of this school, in the so-called Harry Potter’s castle at Innere Stadt, Beethovenplatz 1, 1010 Wien, for over 10 years, allowing young Ukrainians to learn Ukrainian language, literature and history.
Universities:
The University of Vienna (Universität Wien) – founded in 1365, is one of the oldest in the world. Although its main campus is located outside the district, several faculties and institutes are represented in the Innere Stadt.
The University of Music and Applied Arts Wien (Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien) offers a variety of study programmes in music, theatre, dance, opera, conducting and other artistic fields.
Medical facilities
There are no major clinics in the first district, but there are some nearby in the neighbouring districts:
- Allgemeines Krankenhaus der Stadt Wien (AKH) is the largest hospital in Vienna and one of the largest in Europe. It is located in District 9, adjacent to District 1, and provides a wide range of medical services;
- In addition to large medical institutions, private doctors’ offices are popular in Austria, which are located not only in hospitals but also in ordinary multi-storey buildings. Therefore, you can easily find your doctor in the 1st district of Vienna if you need to.
Transport
Innere Stadt has a very well-developed transport infrastructure, as both private and commercial life is bustling there.
The main means of transport in the first district include:
- U-Bahn stations Stephansplatz and Karlsplatz;
- an extensive bus and tram system;
- many bicycle lanes.
As for car traffic in Vienna’s 1st district, it is worth remembering that many parts of the 1st district have restrictions on car traffic due to the preservation of the historic environment. Also, those who do not live in the Innere Stadt may have problems parking their cars.
The advantages and disadvantages of living in Innere Stadt include the following:
Advantages:
- Rich history of the area and ample opportunities for cultural attractions.
- Ancient and at the same time well-maintained architecture.
- A large number of pedestrian streets.
- Innere Stadt is one of the most prestigious districts of Vienna.
Disadvantages:
- High cost of housing.
- A lot of of tourists.
- A lot of cars (which causes problems with parking).
As you can see, housing in Vienna’s 1st district attracts those who appreciate the atmosphere of history and culture, as well as those who are looking for a high standard of living in the heart of the city. If you are looking to buy an apartment in Vienna’s 1st district, the team of experienced brokers at VigoImmobilien will be happy to help you!
