Built between 1896 and 1899 to store the coal gas that once lit Vienna's streets, the four Gasometers were among the largest brick structures in Europe at the time, but became obsolete once the city switched to natural gas in the 1980s. Rather than demolish them, the city commissioned four different architecture firms — including Jean Nouvel — to convert the protected brick shells into a mixed-use complex, each tower handled independently.
What's inside now
Today the four towers combine apartments, student housing, offices, a shopping centre, an event hall, and a public library, all built inside the original 19th-century brick cylinders — the effect from outside is a set of monumental industrial relics, while the interiors range from fairly conventional shopping-mall space to genuinely striking modern architecture depending on which tower you're in.
Is it worth the trip out?
This isn't a central sight, and most visitors won't have a strong reason to detour to the 11th district for it — but if unusual adaptive-reuse architecture interests you, or you're already using the nearby U3 line, it's a distinctive stop that looks like nothing else in Vienna.
Local tip
The complex also hosts concerts and events in its event hall — worth checking what's on if you're planning a visit specifically around the architecture rather than the shops.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Gasometers in Vienna used for now?
The four converted 19th-century gas tanks now hold apartments, offices, a shopping centre, an event hall and a public library.
Is Gasometer Vienna worth visiting?
Mainly for those interested in unusual industrial-to-residential architecture — it's outside the central sightseeing area, so it suits a deliberate detour rather than a casual add-on.