IKEA developing its first car-free store

An upcoming IKEA store in Vienna is set to be its greenest — with more than 100 trees and no parking spots

Spotted: IKEA is embracing its urban location for an upcoming store in Vienna, making it completely car-free. As a first for the company, the store will be adorned with more than 100 trees and will have no car parking spaces.

Designed by Querkraft Architekten, the store will have a grid-like form enveloped by greenery. The inspiration for this striking structure is modelled on a bookshelf and also offers flexibility in terms of layout. Glazed boxes expand the floor space and offer a framed view of the interior, and the openness and transparency create a welcoming environment. There will be three different entrances to accommodate the needs of different customers, whether they are there for a spontaneous visit or a long shopping trip.

The six-storey structure will host the IKEA store on the first four storeys, and the upper levels will house a 345-bed hostel, restaurants and a roof garden. A central void running from the ground level to the roof garden will connect everything together, allowing easy access to the spaces. The store will provide on-the-day delivery services so that customers do not have to worry about carrying their purchases with them on public transport.

Construction for the store began earlier this month on Mariahilferstrasse, a predominant shopping street in the city, and is expected to open in the autumn of 2021.