Ringturm

Headquarters with history

„This is not America; this is Austria…” is how the newsreel “Austria Wochenschau” introduced its 14 June 1955 coverage of the Ringturm building’s grand opening. This building which today houses the holding company Vienna Insurance Group, its main shareholder Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein and Wiener Städtische. was Austria’s first tall office building and a milestone of so called moderate modern architecture in Austria. Following years of war and occupation, however, it was also a symbol of Austria’s newly won freedom and economic rebirth. 

In 1952, Wiener Städtische General Manager Norbert Liebermann decided to have a new main headquarters put up for the company. Liebermann had spent the National Socialist period in the United States, where he had come to know and value the utility of modern office buildings. Since the lot made available to the company by the City of Vienna was rather small in terms of its area, Wiener Städtische was quick to reach a clear decision: “We are going to build a high rise.”

The Ringturm is still a prominent landmark in the heart of Vienna. It is both a workplace and an intercultural meeting point. Since 1998 the lobby has been home to the internationally acclaimed "Architektur im Ringturm" exhibition series, which showcases architecture from Austria and the CEE region. Admission is free of charge.

The top floor offers panoramic, 360° views of Vienna, making it a highly attractive and sought-after venue for all kinds of events – from high-level panel discussions and book launches to get-togethers for the worlds of politics, business and culture.