AVA-Hof becomes a hotel: Salzburg's city center will shine until 2028!

AVA-Hof becomes a hotel: Salzburg's city center will shine until 2028!

The AVA-Hof in downtown Salzburg has gained momentum - the renovation project has now officially started. The owner company Midstad, a subsidiary of Peek & Cloppenburg, has big plans: the building on Hanuschplatz will be converted into a modern hotel that will also provide space for shops and offices. On October 20th, the team presented the hotel concept and the construction progress so far, and the interest was enormous - visitors were able to find out everything they needed to know about the construction process, sustainability, architecture and the hotel experience. My district reports.

A highlight of the project is the Kimpton-branded hotel, which will be enlivened with around half of the building. This is the first Kimpton in Austria and its operation will be taken over by tristar Austria GmbH. Kevin Meyer, Managing Director of Midstad, is convinced that Kimpton Salzburg should be a place of exchange for guests and locals. Support for this project also comes from Salzburg's mayor Bernhard Auinger and LHStv. Stefan Schnöll, who consider the revitalization of the city center to be urgently necessary.

Comprehensive concept for the city center

The project includes around 16,300 square meters not only retail and hotel, but also office space, conference areas and two apartments. In order to meet the requirements of the time, the existing building will be dismantled, the roof will be completely renewed and replaced with a steel-wood hybrid construction. Work is already underway and interior construction is scheduled to start in mid-2026. Completion of the first construction phase is planned for the end of 2027, while overall completion is targeted for 2028.

But this renovation is not only a promising project, but also part of the larger “Vision Salzburg 2040”. How Salzburg 2040 project explains, this is a strategy for tourism development that focuses on high-quality experiences rather than mass processing. In May 2025, the strategy was unanimously approved by political committees - a clear statement that tourism is seen as an integral part of urban development.

Sustainable tourism as a goal

The aim of the “Visitor Economy” is to use the positive effects of tourism sustainably. Both locals and guests should be the focus of the planning in order to strengthen local businesses, create jobs and secure tax revenue. The strategy was developed from a broad participation process in which over 2,800 people took part. The first key projects have already started and more are being planned so that Salzburg remains one of the leading cultural cities that combines ideal enjoyment of life and cultural diversity.

Overall, there is a lot to do and the AVA farm is just the first step. With the implementation of these innovative ideas, Salzburg's city center could soon shine in new splendor and offer both tourists and locals real added value. To find out more about ongoing developments, further information is also available ORF Salzburg to find.