Empty store converted into hotel encourages exploration of the local area

Located in Vienna, the Urbanauts project has converted a street loft into a hotel room, where the usual amenities are outsourced to the local community.

A holiday experience that engages tourists in the local culture is something that many people seek, and we have already seen Plus One Berlin offer connections between travelers and local residents. Located in Vienna, the Urbanauts project has now converted a street loft into a hotel room, where the usual amenities are outsourced to the local community. Comprised of three Austrian architects – Christian Knapp, Jonathan Lutter and Theresia Kohlmayr – the team behind Urbanauts aims to provide hospitality for “authentic city adventurers” by encouraging visitors to get out of their room and out into the streets. The room was a former tailor store called Die Schneiderin and has been renovated to include a king size bed, a minibar, an iMac and two bikes. However, all other facilities are located in the nearby neighbourhood – breakfast is served at Cafe Goldegg and a local hamman becomes a spa for guests to relax – meaning that tourists get to see more than just the building they stay in. The hotel room is available at EUR 120 a night, and upgrades include a Vespa Piaggio scooter to enable guests to travel further a field or the option to have the room cleaned every day. Urbanauts not only gets tourists to engage with the city they are visiting but also helps out local businesses by sending custom in their direction. An idea worth replicating? Spotted by: Raymond Kollau