Korneuburg's construction ban has finally put an end to the Benko project!
The historic Korneuburg shipyard, a protected landmark, has been a significant part of the regional economy and shipbuilding industry for over 140 years. Established in 1852, the shipyard closed in 1991, and the city of Korneuburg acquired and renovated parts of the heavily contaminated area at the end of the 90s [1].
In 2021, a plan to develop the former shipyard site into a living, working, cultural, leisure, hotel, and gastronomy quarter was announced. The Werftmitte project, a part of this larger plan, aimed at renovating listed halls 55 and 58 for a modern event location [2].
However, recent developments have put the Werftmitte project on hold. The construction ban imposed on the shipyard island includes the Werftmitte project area [3]. The halt in the project is due to the city's inability to bear the costs alone [4].
The Werftmitte project was planned as a joint venture between SIGNA and the city of Korneuburg, with SIGNA joining as an investor in 2019 [5]. However, no active collaboration or development project between SIGNA and the city of Korneuburg related to the shipyard has been confirmed as of August 2025 [1].
The Hafen Korneuburg Immobilien GmbH & Co KG, a SIGNA subsidiary, is not yet insolvent, but the mayor expects the areas to be sold soon due to SIGNA's urgent need for money [6]. The shipyard remains under preservation with its historic halls and military museum vessels, with no confirmed redevelopment underway [1].
The total investment volume for the larger development project was estimated at 500 million euros [7]. The project included renovations for a foyer, bar, cloakrooms, and sanitary facilities [8]. Initially, halls 55 and 58 were intended to be converted into a cultural and event space [9].
Mayor Christian Gepp (ÖVP) has stated that the project is not happening [10]. The details of the project's future remain uncertain, leaving the historic Korneuburg shipyard and its halls in a state of preservation for now.
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2] [3] [Source 3] [4] [Source 4] [5] [Source 5] [6] [Source 6] [7] [Source 7] [8] [Source 8] [9] [Source 9] [10] [Source 10]
- Despite the initial plans and investments, the Werftmitte project, intended to revitalize the former shipyard site by developing real-estate for living, working, cultural, leisure, hotel, and gastronomy, is currently on hold due to financial constraints.
- The Hafen Korneuburg Immobilien GmbH & Co KG, owned by SIGNA, which was set to invest in the Werftmitte project, may soon sell off the shipyard areas due to a pressing need for money.
