Haas Haus
A Gateway between Past and Present
Come see a building that's as attractive as it is contentious. Just opposite the Stephansdom is the Haas Haus, a striking piece of architecture by Hans Hollein. The facade of this impressive structure is designed so one could view a mirror image of St. Stephen's Cathedral.
This was actually quite controversial, as some were skeptical about the combination of the medieval cathedral and a modern glass and steel building. The building actually stands in stark contrast to the many historic buildings in the area; it was originally meant to be a department store.
The curved exterior of the Haas House with its round window and projecting roof create a connection to the neighboring buildings. Today, in one section of the Haas House there is a hotel, a restaurant, and a café. The rest of the Haas House is four floors of a very appealing sales room for an international fashion chain.
