Austrian Historicist style on the inside and Neo-Renaissance on the outside; the beautiful Semper Depot was built in the 1870s according to the designs of Gottfried Semper (the designer of the Hofburg, the Natural History Museum and the Burgtheater) and Karl Hasenauer. The building's original function was to house theatrical set design studios and workshops, where they painted huge backgrounds for performances in the Opera House and the Burgtheater. This function and the unusual fan-shaped space of the land plot is the reason why such a uniquely shaped inner courtyard was created, enabling the workers to move their works between the four floors. Using one of the most important inventions of that time, the building is supported by a cast-iron structure. The wooden boards and beams of the courtyard are held up by six-meter tall metal columns. There are also huge studio rooms, which are connected to each other by one hundred doors. The building was empty for decades and was planned to be demolished, but thankfully it was saved due to its architectural importance. Now it is home to some of the Viennese Fine Art University’s studios, alongside countless events, concerts, performances and festivals, as well as fine art exhibitions created specifically for this one-of-a-kind space.

Photo gallery

Interior of the Semper Depot in Vienna, Austria, showing the large central hall with iron columns and tiered balconies.
Six-metre-tall iron columns hold this large space created to enable creatives to move their set designs
View of the wooden staircase and cast-iron railings inside the Semper Depot in Vienna, Austria, with multiple levels of balconies and arched windows.
The cast iron structure gives an unusually airy feel to such a large interior space
Curved stone steps and iron columns in the lower level of the Semper Depot in Vienna, Austria, emphasizing its industrial architectural style.
These beautiful wooden steps are often used as a location for orchestra and choir concerts
Multi-level interior of the Semper Depot in Vienna, Austria, featuring iron walkways, large arched windows, and open gallery spaces.
Robbie Williams’ powerful music video for his song “Lovelight” was filmed here, filling the space with dancers
Ground floor of the Semper Depot in Vienna, Austria, with rows of cast-iron columns and wooden floors under warm lighting.
The Semper Depot’s inner large halls are often used for art exhibitions, performances and concerts
Exterior view of the Semper Depot in Vienna, Austria, showing its brick and stone façade with arched windows and the main entrance on a city street.
This special building is located in the center of the Austrian capital

Filmed at this location

Feature films such as the 2015 movie Woman in Gold, about Vienna’s complicated past were shot here. Also, this was the location for Robbie Williams’ epic music video called Lovelight, creating a dramatic atmosphere with powerful lighting and a large group of dancers.