The historic Villa Beer, a masterpiece of Viennese modernist architecture, is set to open its doors to the public in 2026 following an extensive restoration project. The building, designed by renowned architects Josef Frank and Oskar Wlach in 1929, has been carefully renovated by owner Lothar Trierenberg and his team in collaboration with architect Christian Prasser, preserving its status as a key work of Viennese modernism.
Trierenberg, who leads the Villa Beer Foundation, a non-profit organization that acquired the property in 2021, emphasized the project's mission to make visitors experience the transformative power of exceptional architecture. "The house should make people feel, beyond its history, what kind of power good architecture has – that is what is immediately perceptible in Villa Beer," Trierenberg explained.
The restored villa will serve multiple functions as both a museum and cultural center. The ground floor, mezzanine, and first floor will be opened for public tours and exhibitions, showcasing the original living situation while providing space for background information and display pieces. The carefully planned layout will allow visitors to experience the authentic atmosphere of this architectural gem while learning about its historical significance.
For research and artist-in-residence programs, three guest rooms will be available on the top floor, furnished with original Josef Frank furniture and fabrics from Svenskt Tenn, donated by the Beijer Foundation. These rooms will also be rented to external guests when available, providing an unique opportunity for architectural enthusiasts to experience an overnight stay in this historic building.
The villa's expanded basement represents the only comprehensively adapted part of the building and will serve as the main access point for visitors. This modern addition includes a lounge, cloakrooms, restrooms, ticket office, and other facilities necessary for contemporary cultural operations. The space will host not only architectural tours but also musical performances, dance events, readings, discussion panels, and symposiums.
Landscape architect Maria Auböck has redesigned the villa's garden while preserving numerous old trees. Two new twelve-meter-tall black locust trees will be planted along the street side in November, made possible through special permission from monument protection authorities to restore the property's original appearance. However, restoring the garden's original size can only be achieved "with the power of imagination," as portions were sold and developed over time.
The meticulous restoration process has been thoroughly documented through photography by Stephan Huger, showcasing the detailed work involved in preserving every aspect of the building, from millimeter-precise parquet flooring restoration to the careful renovation of the music room. The documentation provides insight into the collaborative effort between Trierenberg, the architectural team, specialists, craftsmen, and monument protection authorities to breathe new life into this architectural jewel located in Vienna's Hietzing district.
The Villa Beer project represents a significant contribution to Vienna's cultural landscape, combining historical preservation with contemporary cultural programming. When it opens in spring 2026, visitors will be able to experience firsthand the innovative design principles that made this residence a landmark of Austrian modernist architecture.
