Future of the Reichensteinhütte: Large yes to replacement building in Leoben!

Future of the Reichensteinhütte: Large yes to replacement building in Leoben!

The Alpine Club Leoben has taken a decisive step towards the future of the Reichensteinhütte. In an extraordinary general meeting, almost 100 members voted for the demolition and replacement building of the popular shelter, which has been exposed to extreme weather conditions for almost 40 years. "The hut is reduced from the inside," explains Claudia Schagerl, the first chairman of the Leoben Alpine Club, and emphasizes the need for these measures. The estimated costs for the new building amount to 2.5 million euros, whereby the association was already receiving one million euros from the Federal Ministry, as the Kleine Zeitung

planning and execution

The new plans provide to tear down the existing hut to the basement and to build it on a new foundation. Since the shelter at a height of 2128 meters is in an exposed location where there are wind peaks of up to 200 km/h, the material mix made of solid wood and a metal facade ensures that the new building can withstand the harsh conditions. The architects of Dreplus prevailed in a competition against nine competitors and presented the recognition value of the hut and at the same time preserved elements for reducing the Integrated water consumption, including by using dry toilets.

The approval of the construction was almost unanimous - only eight members voted against the proposal. After the vote, Schagerl expressed its relief about the result, which is of great importance for the future of the Reichensteinhütte. The project is now being pursued quickly, although the groundbreaking ceremony is expected to take place in 2025. In 2026 the replacement building, which will be somewhat smaller, should be completed and the hut owners expect that with the demolition and renewal, a new phase will also begin in the use of the Reichensteinhütte, which is a popular destination for mountain hikers, such as MeinDzirk describes.