Building restriction in Korneuburg: Benko project officially terminated!
The former Korneuburg shipyard in Austria, a significant part of the regional economy for over 140 years, closed its doors in 1991. Four of its assembly halls, now protected as historic landmarks, currently serve as a branch of the Museum of Military History, Vienna, displaying two patrol boats and preserving the site's heritage.
Recent developments and issues surrounding the site have been less clear. While the "Werftmitte" project, focusing on the renovation of halls 55 and 58, was initially proposed, no updated information was found indicating that it is currently ongoing or planned. The project was intended for the conversion of historical buildings into a modern event venue, with a foyer, bar, cloakrooms, and sanitary facilities.
The planned joint venture between the city of Korneuburg and Signa Development, an investor who joined the project in 2019, has stalled due to the insolvency of Signa Development. This has led to a construction ban on the shipyard island, as unanimously decided by the city council.
Despite the stalled joint venture, the city council has not taken any decisions regarding the sale of the areas owned by Signa. The mayor, Christian Gepp (ÖVP), has stated that "The project is not happening!" However, he also expects the areas owned by Signa to be sold soon due to Signa's urgent need for money.
The "Werftmitte" project was announced in 2021, with plans to develop an "attractive quarter" on a 15-hectare area, including 1,400 to 1,700 living spaces and an estimated investment of 500 million euros. However, these plans have been affected by the current situation of Hafen Korneuburg Immobilien GmbH & Co KG, a subsidiary of Signa.
In the late 90s, the city of Korneuburg acquired and renovated parts of the heavily contaminated shipyard area. The documents for the environmental compatibility test have been withdrawn, but it is not clear why this decision was made.
The shipyard in Korneuburg was founded in 1852 and was a crucial part of the local economy for over a century. Today, it stands as a protected historic landmark and museum facility, with no confirmed new development or construction activities publicly documented.
The current financial status of the "Werftmitte" project remains uncertain, as the insolvency of Signa Development has led to a stalemate in the joint venture between the city and the investor. The mayor of Korneuburg expects the areas owned by Signa to be sold soon due to their urgent need for money.
In the realm of real-estate and business, potential investors might find interest in the 15-hectare area surrounding the former Korneuburg shipyard, as plans suggest an investment of 500 million euros for creating an attractive quarter, complete with 1,400 to 1,700 living spaces. However, these plans are yet to materialize due to the current situation of Hafen Korneuburg Immobilien GmbH & Co KG, a subsidiary of Signa.
