Built in 1890 on the grounds of the former Viennese entertainment landmark „Neue Welt,“ Villa Hohenfels has long stood as a beacon of elegance and aristocratic charm. Commissioned by industrialist Karoline Tobisch and originally designed by Karl Scheffler, the two-story, palace-like villa was conceived as a residence of distinction—expressing the grandeur and aspirations of its era.

In 1894, ownership passed to Alfred Freiherr von Berger, whose wife, Stella von Hohenfels-Berger, bestowed the villa with the name it proudly bears today. The façade, especially the central north elevation, masterfully combines Italian Renaissance refinement with Baroque ornamentation, exemplifying a stylistic harmony that captures the spirit of late 19th-century European villa architecture.

By 1920, the property had passed to Sigmund Sachsel, and shortly thereafter to textile magnate Bernhard Altmann, who significantly reimagined the villa to suit a more modern and livable vision. In 1921, a grand staircase and west-facing main entrance were introduced, followed by a 1924 southward expansion to maximize sunlight—responding to the limitations of the original layout.

After the tragic Nazi-era expropriation in 1938, the villa was returned to Nelly Altmann in 1947, who sensitively adapted it into three residential apartments while preserving its architectural integrity. Subsequent decades saw varied uses, including as a company headquarters.

In 1989, Villa Hohenfels entered a new chapter of stewardship and underwent extensive restoration. Now, under the visionary guidance of Peter Reindl | PR Architects & Designers and Team, this architectural landmark has been thoughtfully revived and elevated for contemporary living, without compromising its historical character.

The restoration honors Scheffler’s original design while addressing 21st-century spatial, light, and energy standards. A new attic-level residential unit has been seamlessly integrated, and dormer windows elegantly introduced to the roofline, enhancing both function and form. Every intervention—whether structural or aesthetic—has been executed with surgical precision and profound respect for the villa’s noble heritage.

The rear façade is equally impressive as the front: a semicircular central projection and a generous rhythm of windows usher in natural light, creating luminous, serene interiors. The surrounding landscaped gardens, meticulously curated, reinforce the luxurious, contemplative atmosphere of this historic estate.

Today, Villa Hohenfels stands not only as a preserved historical treasure but as a refined architectural composition—a dialogue between past and present, memory and modernity, all made possible by the visionary design leadership of Peter Reindl and his expert team of architects and designers.

Villa Hohenfels
Revived with Precision. Reimagined with Purpose.
By Peter Reindl | PR Architects & Designers and Team