Vienna faces major challenges regarding its commercial and industrial spaces. The Vienna Chamber of Commerce commissioned Carmen Dilch to conduct a study on the current state of commercial real estate in Vienna and why business locations are crucial to the city’s economic future. On September 29, 2026, she presented her findings at the symposium “Production as a Space for the Future—Strategies for Commercial Locations in Vienna”.
Commercial Space in Vienna Is Becoming Scarce
Vienna is growing, but space for commercial and manufacturing facilities is limited. Only about five percent of Vienna’s urban area — a total of 2,127 hectares — is designated as industrial land. At the same time, roughly one-third of the city’s value added is generated by industrial, commercial, and manufacturing sites.
In her study, commissioned by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, Carmen Dilch examined how Vienna can secure and further develop these areas in the long term. The study is based on quantitative market data as well as 47 interviews with a total of 57 experts. As a result, the study combines current market developments with insights from the field.
Existing Locations as the Key to the Future
The results show that available commercial space is becoming increasingly scarce. At the same time, many existing commercial properties are in significant need of modernization.
About two-thirds of the buildings surveyed no longer meet current requirements and are considered in need of renovation. Yet this is precisely where great potential lies: Through revitalization, redensification, and repurposing, existing sites could be used more efficiently and secured for the long term.
This requires suitable framework conditions. Faster approval processes, greater legal certainty for renovations, and targeted incentives could facilitate investments in the modernization and decarbonization of existing commercial properties.
Presentation of a Study at a Symposium Hosted by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce
On September 29, 2026, Carmen Dilch presented her study at the symposium “Production as a Space for the Future—Strategies for Industrial Sites in Vienna”, organized by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce.
The findings provided important insights for the discussion on the future of Vienna as a business hub. The focus was on the question of how productive industrial spaces can be preserved and further developed despite increasing competition for land.
Significant interest in the real estate industry
The study was very well received in the real estate industry and was covered by numerous trade and business media outlets. Among others, ImmoFokus, immobilien investment, immoflash, Börse Express, and MeinBezirk Wien reported on the findings.