Decision made by Wien Holding: contract goes to CTS EVENTIM Vienna is getting a new top-level multifunctional arena
Vienna is getting one of the best multifunctional arenas in Europe for big concerts, for big shows, for great entertainment, for mega sporting events as well as for trade fairs and e-sports. In a nutshell: an arena for big feelings. The new high-level arena will be able to accommodate up to 20,000 visitors, sustainably planned, built and operated according to the highest standards of event technology and security.
Wien Holding and the City of Vienna will take the path to the new high-level arena in Neu Marx with CTS EVENTIM as a strategic partner for planning, construction, operation and financing. The city of Vienna will cover the costs of the arena building at a maximum of around
153 million euros involved. The new Wien Holding Arena is being built on the Neu Marx site in the 3rd district. The goal is to complete the new Wien Holding Arena by 2030. When the new arena is fully operational, up to 1.2 million visitors are expected at up to 145 events per year.
“It was always clear to me that the Wien Holding Arena is of utmost importance for Vienna as a location and that, as part of my role as economic city councilor and owner representative of Wien Holding, I would do everything in my power to implement this lighthouse project as quickly as possible. We are giving Vienna a top-level mega arena so that the world’s best stars and events will continue to rely on Vienna as a must-play city with a must-play arena for decades to come. The current contract award to CTS EVENTIM is therefore an important milestone in the project as a positive conclusion to the award process. This means that all of the specifications agreed upon in the procurement process can be implemented quickly,” says City Councilor for Economic Affairs Peter Hanke, who is very satisfied.
“For us it was important and a basic condition that the city of Vienna and Wien Holding receive the arena that they put out to tender. It is essential that all the required qualities of the arena are met. CTS EVENTIM has guaranteed and bindingly declared that it will meet all tender conditions and specifications. The planning, construction, operational and technical qualities of the arena also correspond to a multifunctional high-level arena,” says Wien Holding Managing Director Kurt Gollowitzer.
CTS EVENTIM: develop additional potential for the city and arena
After the construction phase, Wien Holding’s partnership with Europe’s leading live entertainment company CTS EVENTIM offers further advantages for the future arena, the city of Vienna and, above all, all Viennese people. Because CTS EVENTIM is not only experienced in the construction and operation of large and largest multi-purpose venues for live entertainment, sports and corporate events. Above all, the company also brings in its know-how and network when it comes to bringing international stars and major sporting events to Vienna and thus sustainably developing the entertainment location.
Klaus-Peterschulenberg, CEO CTS EVENTIM, says: “We are very pleased to be able to build and later operate an outstanding multi-purpose venue for all Viennese residents and their national and international guests, which will stand for pure enthusiasm and maximum professionalism in equal measure . Artists, athletes and, above all, millions of visitors will love the new Wien Holding Arena and its qualities and possibilities. The internal and external values of the building will strengthen Vienna’s position as one of the world’s leading entertainment metropolises and add a new, attractive facet to Austria’s rich cultural landscape.”
CTS EVENTIM plans, builds, finances and operates; The property remains the property of Wien Holding; Costs for the city: a maximum of around 153 million euros for the arena structure
CTS EVENTIM will carry out the planning, construction, financing and operation of the arena in accordance with the advertised criteria and conditions. The City of Vienna will contribute a maximum of around 153 million euros to the costs of the arena structure, which will be borne by CTS EVENTIM.
The property in Neu Marx remains the property of Wien Holding. CTS EVENTIM is granted building rights for the Wien Holding Arena by Wien Holding in return for a corresponding building interest. Wien Holding will also participate in the economic success, specifically this means a share in the income from ticketing and sales.
Multifunctional at the highest level in all areas
The Wien Holding Arena will be designed, built and operated as a multifunctional high-level arena for up to 20,000 visitors to serve as a venue for large rock and pop concerts as well as large shows from action-packed special events to major sporting events as well as for To be able to use trade fairs and e-sports events. Visitors will experience events on a completely new level. Both artists and organizers benefit from a modern venue that redefines many standards. Production conditions and event logistics should become the new benchmark. The common goal is to develop the arena into one of the “must-play arenas” in Europe. National and international event organizers will find excellent conditions for numerous entertainment formats in the Wien Holding Arena. This also includes a unique and sustainable visitor experience before, during and after the events. Digital interaction should be just as natural as a special catering experience and high-quality retail and merchandising areas.
Architectural landmark based on the architecture competition and also high level in terms of sustainability
The arena creates an architectural landmark for the city of Vienna, which coherently continues the winning design from the implementation competition (architects Kronaus, Mitterer, Gallister). Sustainability, ecology and climate protection are essential aspects for the construction and operation of the arena. Through energy-efficient systems, environmentally friendly building materials and well-thought-out waste management, the arena will meet the highest environmental standards. The arena sets an example for responsible event operations that take future generations into account. It should at least correspond to the Klimaaktiv Gold Standard or a comparable standard.
The next steps: Project preparation phase can begin
After the 10-day standstill period has now expired, the project preparation phase with CTS EVENTIM begins. The project preparation phase is used to carry out essential preparatory activities together, including in the areas of planning, zoning and environmental impact assessment.
In fast motion – what has happened so far: From the location decision to the strategic partnership
In 2019, the location decision for the construction of the arena in Neu Marx was made. The architecture competition was held and finalized in 2020. In 2021, the project optimization and project consolidation phase was completed. This created the conditions to look for a strategic partner for the planning, construction, operation and financing of the arena project.
In order to determine the best bidder for this strategic partnership for the planning, construction, operation and financing of the arena, Wien Holding carried out a two-stage, EU-wide negotiation process in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Procurement Act. The Oak View Group (OVG) originally emerged as the best bidder in the overall evaluation of the offers received. However, the Vienna Administrative Court declared the intended award decision on the offer from the Oak View Group (OVG) to be null and void for formal reasons that were within the scope of the Oak View Group (OVG). As a result, Wien Holding, in coordination with its committees, decided not to end the tender process without results, but instead chose a better and legally secure way, namely to optimize CTS EVENTIM’s offer by means of clarifications permitted under public procurement law. Also in view of the fact that the offer from CTS EVENTIM was the offer with the best quality rating from the start and a complete new tender would have been associated with time and economic risks, which are avoided by the path now taken.
The optimization of the building concept includes, among other things, improved space efficiency in that the quality and functionality offered now requires less space. This leads to lower resource consumption during construction and operation with the same or even improved quality. In addition, there is potential for savings in the overall economic view due to the increased economic security for the company, as live entertainment has returned to its former strength after the pandemic. This results in a reduction in economic risk, which is also reflected, among other things, in the project calculation.
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