Environment Agency Austria has a new location in Vienna

Federal Minister for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology Leonore Gewessler, the owner's representative, announced this today. ‘I am delighted that the future of the Agency has been sustainably secured and that a location for all employees in Vienna has been found.’ 

‘We are pleased to offer a modern working environment to our employees and enable interdisciplinary collaboration at one location. We want to turn it into an important hub for the environment, sustainability, technology and innovation and also make it attractive for other companies,’ says Environment Agency Austria Managing Director Hildegard (Gitsch) Aichberger.

With the so-called ‘Enna’, the Environment Agency Austria has opted for an existing building on a previously utilised site. The building is located on the site of a former gasworks from the 19^th century and was used as a bus garage until 2009. ‘We made a conscious decision in favour of reusing a brownfield site and conserving resources. We will use an existing building on an old site sustainably without sealing valuable new areas and save CO₂ compared to a new building,’ explains Managing Director Verena Ehold. 

Jürgen Czernohorszky, the Executive City Councillor for Climate, Environment, Democracy and Personnel in Vienna is pleased: ‘I am glad that the Federal Environment Agency with its more than 650 employees will remain in Vienna and will have a new, attractive, shared location - we have been campaigning hard for this for a long time. Vienna in particular is a pioneer in many environmental and climate issues all over Austria - from renaturalisation and biodiversity to the expansion and protection of many green spaces. The new location will also secure the existing good cooperation in the future!’

enna, a sustainable building

The building fulfils the requirements of the Environment Agency Austria in terms of accessibility and sustainability: the location is close to U3 underground station. The existing building is currently being renovated in line with sustainability criteria, thermally refurbished and equipped with a photovoltaic system. Green and open spaces are also planned, as well as e-charging stations for cars and bicycles. Sustainability certifications are being sought. The work is expected to be completed in 2026.

Open procedure

The Environment Agency Austria started the search for a new location in December 2023 as part of an open and structured tender process. Enna, a building owned by Art-Invest Real Estate, emerged as the best bidder from the more than 20 offers. Art-Invest Real Estate is a long-term investor, asset manager and property developer operating in Germany, Austria and the UK.

The Environment Agency Austria is currently located at four locations, some of which are in need of renovation, near the Friedensbrücke in Vienna. The new location is intended to ensure the best possible interdisciplinary, cross-team collaboration among the more than 650 experts.