HQ for the European Handball Federation

6,000 m2 of space for international networking in the new headquarters of the European Handball Federation (EHF)

The real estate developer Raiffeisen Property Holding International (RPHI) and the general contractor Strabag are pleased to announce the successful topping out of the 'European Handball House'. This marks a significant milestone in the construction phase of the project. The modern building is being constructed in the lively Neu Marx neighbourhood in Vienna's third district at Baumgasse 60A and will be the new headquarters of the European Handball Federation (EHF).

With an area of 6,000 square metres, the 'European Handball House' will serve as a hub for international cooperation between the European handball federations and their more than 350 clubs. With modern office space for over 120 employees from 25 countries as well as a 250 square metre lecture theatre, several meeting rooms and its own TV studio, the building will meet the highest multimedia requirements. Completion of the EHF's new headquarters is scheduled for the end of 2024, to coincide with the European Handball Championship finals in Vienna. 

Karl-Maria Pfeffer, CEO of RPHI, emphasised the positive impact of the project on the Neu Marx district at the topping-out ceremony: "The 'European Handball House' is an example of our mission to create high-quality office space with international appeal in our city. Through contemporary design and the modern concept of thermal building activation, we are creating a conducive working environment for EHF employees and improving the attractiveness of the area at the same time." The Viennese architectural firm Burtscher-Durig ZT GmbH was entrusted with the general planning. 

Michael Wiederer, President of the European Handball Federation, emphasised the importance of the facility for the sport: "With the 'European Handball House', we are creating a place for the future-oriented development of European handball with its more than 350 clubs and top competitions such as the European Championships and the EHF Champions League for men and women. The 'European Handball House' offers the ideal conditions for these tasks. At the same time, it is a strong commitment to Vienna as a location with its excellent accessibility and internationality." Martin Kaftan, STRABAG Head of Building Construction Vienna, is also proud of the 'European Handball House': "We are delighted to be able to implement this architecturally sophisticated project and prove that we can cover everything from the shell and finishing, including drywall construction, to the aluminium frame façade and building services engineering through our Group."

As part of the overall 'Stadtquartier@WienArena' concept, the 'European Handball House' reflects RPHI's commitment to the revitalisation of the Neu Marx district. RPHI is also building a student residence on the Neu Marx site, which will be ready for occupancy in time for the 2024 winter semester. All units in the "Anton" residential building, which was the first residential building in Austria to receive DGNB Platinum certification, have already been sold. 

The three projects are part of the 'Stadtquartier@WienArena', which comprises a total volume of 50,000 m² in five construction phases and will be built in the immediate vicinity of the new Wien Arena by the end of the decade. 

Raiffeisen Property Holding International and the European Handball Federation plan new headquarters in Neu Marx

Raiffeisen Property Holding International (RPHI) and the European Handball Federation (EHF), the umbrella organization of European handball with 50 member federations and headquarters in Vienna, are jointly planning the construction of the "Home of Handball", the new EHF headquarters, in the Neu Marx area in Vienna's third district.

"I am pleased that with the construction of the 'Home of Handball' we are now implementing the new centerpiece of the Neu Marx area, which will result in a long-term and sustainable revitalization of this part of the city. The modern concept of thermal building component activation will create a particularly pleasant working and room climate for EHF’s employees," says Karl-Maria Pfeffer, CEO of RPHI, who is acting as project developer and seller for the project. The Vienna-based architectural firm Burtscher-Durig ZT GmbH was entrusted with the general planning.

"With the 'Home of Handball' we are creating a place for the future-oriented further development of European handball with its more than 350 clubs and top competitions such as the European Championship and the EHF Champions League," says EHF Secretary General Martin Hausleitner. "With RPHI we have a competent and experienced project partner at our side, who after a long search has found the perfect location for us: close to the city center with very good connections to the international airport and in the direct vicinity of the planned new Wien Holding Arena with more than 20,000 spectator seats."

Construction is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2023 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. In total, the EHF headquarters will have a gross floor area of 5,600 m², which will include office space for more than 80 employees as well as a lecture hall of around 250 m² and an in-house TV studio. In the future, draws as well as international conferences and congresses will be held here with the aim of further developing European handball.

The topic of sustainability was already taken into account in the planning. The installation of a 240 m² PV system on the roof of the EHF headquarters is planned, and the building itself will be constructed with thermal component activation, which will have a positive effect on the indoor climate all year round.

In addition to the "Home of Handball", RPHI is planning further projects on the Neu Marx site with a total gross floor area of 22,200 m², including a student dormitory, serviced apartments, and store and office space, for which construction is also scheduled to begin in 2023.