In Vienna (Austria), Urbanauts turns empty stores into hotel rooms.
"Viennese architects Kohlmayr Lutter Knapp have come up with a new use for empty retail spaces. The disused stores, mostly around 250 square feet in size, are being converted to hotel rooms. Guests can decide how much of the view outwards – and inwards – to reveal, using a clever blind system. As part of the emphasis on locality, artists from the immediate environs are invited to design the rooms. The Urbanaut room rate includes, among other extras, use of two bicycles for duration of your stay. The first of these "Vienna Street Lofts" was opened in 2011, near the fashionable Freihausviertel in Vienna's fourth district. Further locations will open for bookings in 2012."
One of them is DIE SCHNEIDERIN | STREET LOFT THE35 (pictured above).
"DIE SCHNEIDERIN (eng. Tailoress) is a former tailor shop. Refurbished as a loft its king size bed and customised architecture assure an absolute quiet and comfortable sleep. Energy breakfast or hammam treat around the corner. Just between Karlsplatz, Naschmarkt and Belvedere castle. 7 walking minutes to the 1st district, 3min to the metro and with your free bikes within a second in the heart of Vienna.
SIZE: 25 sq.m.
FREE FOR YOU: multimedia, TV, music, internet, minibar, coffeebar, mini grocery package, rain shower, organic body care products, safe, 2 bikes, final cleaning
UPGRADE: vespa, work out, customised jeans, daily cleaning
PRICE: € 120 per night per loft
Opening special! Book two nights and get the third for free! Valid until Feb. 2012 It´s the easiest check in! Click BOOK NOW – get your private code – type it in at our key safe – get your key and be independent!"
I hope guests are not turned into window displays, unless they request it.
(* Photo Credit: Julian Mullan — with Sabine Kuchelbacher from Urbanauts Facebook Page)