Andre Heller designs a park on the Old Danube River in Vienna

For now, the area in the Floridsdorf area still presents itself as a simple, tree-filled wasteland – which, as we're assured, you won't have to go away. Individual properties that were previously rented there will now be consolidated after the contracts expire. Preparatory work for the garden has already been completed. Municipal Administration 45 (Vienna Waters) has already redesigned the freely accessible banks along the Mühl Schüttelaral and installed new bathing piers there.

The decisive step will only come, as was announced on Friday in a press conference. The project will be supervised by none other than Andre Heller, who already has experience in the field of parks related to the Anima Park in Marrakech and the Gardone Botanical Garden on Lake Garda. City Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) introduced this day, honoring the artist as a “beauty charmer”.

Ludwig stressed that the new attraction will enable free enjoyment of art. He added that Vienna is not privatizing access to the sea, as happens in other federal states, but is opening it up.

Heller himself did not reveal any details in the presentation. The only thing that is certain is that the works of artists from all over the world will be published there. “Let yourself be surprised,” Heller asked impatiently. “I'm sure it'll be great.” He is happy that, at 77 years old, he can now create a place like this in Vienna.

The gardens are beautiful and sensual, and a love for them has been awakened in Vienna, Heller said. His “children's play areas” were the Schönbrunn Garden and the palm house there. He stated that he also admired the snow-covered bushes that looked like sculptures in winter.

He said the new park should give all Viennese “a kind of transformation.” For this to happen on a continuous area, room would also have to be made for the side road, which currently exists between the meadow and the bank area. Today, the city's costs are estimated at 20 million euros. However, Andre Heller's fees are not included.

“I didn't want to deal with taxpayer money,” he explained. Its commitment will be financed by UniCredit Bank Austria – which is why the facility will also be named “Bank Austria Park”. The company's CEO, Ivan Flaho, emphasized that the company has been a reliable partner for art and culture for many years. No information was available about the amount of support.

Heller thanked the sponsors as well as the city – and also explicitly emphasized the commitment of planning consultant Ole Sima (SPÖ): “Ole is our guardian angel.” Sima himself gave an insight into the timeline: Construction will begin at the beginning of 2025, in September, and the new Heller Park should be ready next year.

It also did not provide any details about the technical design. But what is already certain is that additional trees will be planted on the site and a games and sports area will be added.