Grand Hotel Sauerhof: €40 Million Project to Bring a New Grand Hotel to Baden by 2028

Since spring 2025, the "Meta Hesz Group 1 GmbH" has been the new owner of the Sauerhof. The property had previously passed into the ownership of Upper Austrian antiques dealer and real estate investor Jürgen Hesz after liquidity problems of the former operator. Wolfesberger, managing director and owner of Unykat Interior Design from Wels, holds a minority stake in the project according to his own statements. Most recently, Baden's Siegmund Kahlbacher had claimed he wanted to turn the slowly deteriorating building into a high-end health resort together with Asian investors.

The total investment amounts to around €40 million. Plans call for 111 rooms, roughly 20 fewer than previously. This number is "notwendig für ein sinnvolles Betreiben," according to Wolfesberger. A fixed-rent lease agreement with a term of 20 years has already been drawn up, with an extension to 30 years possible. The concept also envisions a self-supporting glass dome over the inner courtyard, partly glazed roof elements in the rooms, two small extensions, an upgrade of the wellness area to modern standards and an underground car park with 77 spaces.

Concept: 111 Rooms, Glass Dome, Underground Car Park

Wolfesberger described the upgrade of the wellness area "auf heutigen Stand" as the most significant intervention. The historic substance of the building and the park, by contrast, are to be preserved. "Damit unterscheidet sich das Vorhaben ebenfalls deutlich von früheren Planungen, bei denen zusätzliche Baukörper und Eingriffe in die Grünflächen angedacht waren," Wolfesberger explained. Detailed talks with the building department of the City of Baden and the Federal Monuments Office have already taken place.

The owners hope to obtain the required permits as early as autumn. In the coming weeks, a date for the construction hearing is to be set. After that, a construction period of 14 to 16 months is expected. A start of building work no later than spring 2027 is realistic, the architect believes. The opening is planned for 2028, although a specific date is not yet to be announced.

Operator Search and Timeline

Neither Hesz nor Wolfesberger themselves intend to operate the Sauerhof. They currently have two concrete offers from internationally experienced operators, Wolfesberger reports. The selection is to be made by the end of July. Mayor Jeitler-Cincelli spoke of an "Impuls für die Stadt, den wir dringend brauchen": "Es ist schön, dass wir jetzt kurz vor der Realisierung stehen. Das ist ein Impuls für den Tourismus in der Stadt, den wir dringend brauchen."

City council member Peter Koczan ("Wir Badener") expressed satisfaction with the progress. "Wir haben als Stadtregierung das Ziel gehabt, ein Hotel in der Stadt wieder zu eröffnen. Das dürfte jetzt gelingen." They had "aktiv den Kontakt zu Unternehmern, Liegenschaftseigentümern und möglichen Investoren gesucht, um Gespräche anzustoßen, Türen zu öffnen und Projekte in Bewegung zu bringen." The Mayor recalled the goal defined in the coalition paper of ÖVP, SPÖ and Wir Badener – Bürgerliste Jowi Trenner to reopen one of the major hotels during the legislative period.

Parallel Project: Schloss Weikersdorf

In parallel to the Sauerhof, the neighboring Hotel Schloss Weikersdorf is also picking up speed again. It now operates under the name Pytloun Schlosshotel Weikersdorf and is already being offered on the website of the Czech operator. The Pytloun Hotel Group says it operates 13 properties, including four- and five-star design hotels in Prague, Liberec and in the Giant and Ore Mountains. The 164-room-and-suite property had been closed since February 2023 due to insolvency proceedings. Bankruptcy proceedings had been opened over the assets of Grand Hotel Sauerhof Betriebsgesellschaft m.b.H. in February 2014 at the Wiener Neustadt Regional Court.

The city officials emphasize the professional nature of the preparations. Jeitler-Cincelli confirmed: "Alle Versprechen wurden gehalten, alles ist höchst professionell vorbereitet worden." They have also already held a meeting with the neighbors, where the project was explained in detail and everyone was able to ask questions. Owners of relevant properties as well as potential investors had been contacted specifically and supported in coordination with the district administration.

With the Sauerhof and Schloss Weikersdorf, two of Baden's former grand hotels could soon be revived. Hotel Schloss Weikersdorf gained wider renown in 2008, when it served as quarters for then-world champion Italy during the European Championship in Austria and Switzerland. Earlier plans for a five-star health hotel at the Sauerhof, by contrast, had fallen through. Announcements of a revival have been made several times in recent years – but never kept, according to the unanimous assessment of those involved.

Wolfesberger sees the current project on a new footing: "Das Projekt befindet sich nicht mehr in einer Planungs- oder Absichtsphase, sondern hat einen konkreten und nachvollziehbaren Verfahrensstand erreicht." The 20-year lease gives the future operator a long-term perspective and creates a reliable basis for the sustainable operation of the property.