fwp) advised and supported UIV Urban Innovation Vienna GmbH, a Wien Holding company, in finding a location for a new multifunctional mega arena.

To remain an attractive destination for entertainment event organisers in Europe, Vienna needs an up-to-date high-level multifunctional arena. Finding the right location for such a mega arena is a decisive factor for its success. This is why UIV Urban Innovation Vienna GmbH – a Wien Holding company – was commissioned by Wien Holding GmbH to prepare a comprehensive analysis of eligible locations in Vienna and work out a location proposal. A board of experts from a wide range of sectors was in charge of appraising the properties, with fwp evaluating from the legal perspective whether it would be possible to start construction work on the land in due time.

‘Neu Marx’ is the new location

A thorough examination of ten potential venues resulted in the ‘Neu Marx’ area to be regarded as the optimum quarter. The following arguments and advantages speak for ‘Neu Marx’: The available property is not only ideally suited due to its size of 40,000 m2, its rectangular shape and its accessibility from all sides but is also already owned by the City of Vienna and Fleischmarkt St. Marx Liegenschaftsentwicklung GmbH. In addition, the framework plan for ‘Neu Marx’ provides for mainly promoting the area’s profile as a location for enterprises from the creative and start-up sectors – this can be ideally combined with a multi-purpose arena. Furthermore, no rezoning proceedings are required as the required hall height is compatible with the permissible building height. Thus nothing stands in the way of realising the project in a timely manner.

The core team of fwp consisted of fwp partner Michael Hecht and attorney-at-law Clemens Gabriel.