29 November 2025  Designing Desire: A New Aesthetic in ViennaIn Vienna's current debate about what constitutes an aspirational urban lifestyle, the shared spaces of the Danube Flats offer a telling example. Designed by the Vienna-based architecture studio Labvert, these interiors showcase a form of luxury that blends international aesthetics with local craftsmanship. Labvert, known for working with global fashion and design labels such as Dior and Bulgari, brings this experience into residential architecture—creating rooms that feel like cosmopolitan retreats rather than communal zones.The design reflects a clear shift in Vienna: luxury is no longer defined solely by private space but by curated environments that promise calm, convenience, and controlled exclusivity. Crafted Luxury: From the Lobby to the Members' Club, Event Lounge and Executive LoungeLabvert's contribution to the Danube Flats covers the building's most defining shared spaces: the sculptural lobby, the wellness-focused Members' Club on the 4th floor, the atmospheric Event Lounge on the 12th floor, and the exclusive Executive Lounge on the 32nd floor. These areas—spanning arrival, leisure, social gathering and high-rise retreat—form the core of the tower's interior identity.In the Members' Club, Labvert links fitness, spa and social zones through warm materials such as oak and green marble. The cocktail bar opens onto a veranda with a heated infinity pool, showing how shared spaces increasingly serve as lifestyle settings. On the 12th floor, the Event Lounge introduces a cooler palette of blues and greys. Reflective ceiling elements create moving light patterns reminiscent of water, while an open cook-and-chill area allows for communal dining and gatherings. At the top end, the 32nd-floor Executive Lounge shifts to a more intimate atmosphere. Dark oak, brass accents and panoramic glazing lend the room the character of a private club accessible only to residents of the upper floors. Together, these spaces demonstrate how Labvert translates an international luxury design language into Vienna's current high-end residential culture. The studio collaborated with a network of regional and international producers. Local partner Kitzberger Möbel GmbH delivered custom carpentry, while XAL GmbH provided lighting solutions across several floors. High-end brands such as Minotti and Kvadrat shape the visual identity of seating zones. Complementing these choices, bathroom and wellness fittings come from premium manufacturer Dornbracht, underscoring the project's material ambition. Austria's Tallest Residential TowerCompleted in 2025, the Danube Flats stand 180 meters tall, making the tower Austria's highest residential building. Developed by S+B Gruppe and designed by A01 architects, the project includes a hotel in the lower floors and around 500 residential units ranging from compact studios to expansive high-rise apartments. One of the penthouses reportedly sold for 14 million euros, reflecting its position in Vienna's uppermost price bracket.By April 2025, media reports noted that a large portion of the units had already been allocated, even if not yet fully occupied. The building contains both rented and privately owned apartments, targeting a clientele comfortable with Vienna's premium real-estate market. Access to the Executive Lounge on the 32nd floor is reserved exclusively for residents of the upper floors, reinforcing its invitation-only character. A Glimpse Into Tomorrow's Living CultureThe Danube Flats are more than a new landmark on the riverfront; they hint at what future residential developments in Vienna may look like. Community spaces—once functional afterthoughts—are emerging as defining elements of urban luxury. Large windows, open layouts, greenery, and flexible social zones suggest a new hierarchy: shared comfort matters as much as private square meters.As housing debates continue, projects like this one indicate a trend already shaping the city's aspirations. Today's premium designs may well become tomorrow's blueprint for how Vienna imagines its next generation of urban living. Images: The Danube Flats high-rise tower on the Danube riverfront, Austria’s tallest residential building. Right: Interior of the Members’ Club featuring a curved cocktail bar, indoor greenery, and access to a bright terrace with lounge seating and infinity pool. Photos: © Andreas-Scheiblecker for Labvert. More views are published on labvert.com. |