In any city, when buildings are abandoned, it makes for a very unpleasant scene, but the Urbanauts Project may change that for Vienna, Austria. The brainchild of a group of local architects, the Urbanauts Project aims to convert the city's abandoned shops into 4-star hotels for travelers. The architects hope that these hotels will encourage tourists to experience the surrounding neighborhood and explore the city since they are immediately surrounded by the city's streets upon leaving the hotel.
Priced at about 120€ for a one-night stay, the Urbanauts Project hotel rooms include luxury amenities, including a television, entertainment system, a minibar and Internet, as well as a bike rental service. Upgrades are also available -- you can add on things like access to the gym, a daily room cleaning, a vespa rental and more. All of the services are provided by the surrounding business establishments.
According to PSFK, the idea has already garnered over 300 guests, and the architects plan to open another 10 rooms in 10 vacant stores in the upcoming months.
Converted Shop Hotels
Urbanauts Project Turns Abandoned Stores into 4-Star Accommodations
Trend Themes
1. Converted-shop-hotels - Transforming abandoned stores into upscale accommodations presents an opportunity for the hospitality industry to repurpose underutilized urban spaces.
2. Neighborhood-exploration-tourism - Designing hotels that encourage tourists to explore the surrounding neighborhoods creates potential for partnerships between the hospitality and local businesses sectors.
3. Collaborative-service-integration - Providing hotel amenities and services through nearby businesses demonstrates an opportunity for collaboration and innovation within the hospitality industry.
Industry Implications
1. Hospitality - The hospitality industry can leverage the concept of converted shop hotels to expand their offerings, attract new customers, and optimize the use of urban spaces.
2. Urban Development - Urban development professionals can explore the potential of repurposing abandoned shops as hotels to revitalize neighborhoods and drive economic growth.
3. Small Business - Local businesses have an opportunity to collaborate with converted shop hotels by offering services, creating a symbiotic relationship that benefits both parties.