BWM Designers & Architects

From its beginnings as Hotel Post in 1862 to its time as a hospital and later a police station, this historic building has now been reimagined as a vibrant urban hotspot in Zell am See. Nadia Bruckner and Darijo Vujicic have not only taken the helm at Hotel Neue Post but also introduced a bold new concept for the storied property. The hotel’s new name, “Neue Post – Upside Downtown Hotel”, perfectly captures its fresh, cosmopolitan spirit – embracing tradition and history while not being afraid to challenge conventions and add unexpected twists.

Between tradition and modernity.

BWM were tasked with transforming the historic hotel, which entailed handling the refurbishment of the common areas and all 81 guest rooms. In line with the hotel’s new concept, the goal was to keep as much of the original character as possible while bringing it into the modern day. “Inspired by the craftsmanship evident throughout the building, we connected the past with the present to create a truly new Neue Post,” says Erich Bernard of BWM Designers & Architects. “For example, we integrated the old handcrafted wooden ceilings and also translated them into graphic elements that form a leitmotif throughout the interior – from the ceilings and carpets in the hallways all the way to the headboards in the rooms.”

Newly structured and connected.

The newly organised floor plan in the public areas follows the 25m-long Lapponia Bar, which connects various functions like the reception, coffee bar, DJ booth and community table. The historic ceiling structure in the spacious lobby and lounge was preserved, with thoughtful interventions bringing it into the present day. Polished bronze mirrors in the ceiling panels make the ceiling appear higher and the space larger, while the hanging table lamps play with the “upside down” theme.

From the lobby, the space flows seamlessly into the F&B area, which was also restructured with the cosmopolitan concept in mind. The restaurant is divided into themed rooms: The original pinewood room was fully preserved while being discreetly modernised. The newly designed Izakaya room combines local design elements with Japanese influences. “The Neue Post room illustrates the building’s history by way of collections of old and new postcards. Chairs sourced from the former bar were modified and now make an appearance here,” explains BWM project manager Sigrid Mayer. The fireplace room is a special highlight, drawing inspiration from Arabic Berber tents and featuring game tables with integrated board games.

Bright & friendly.

The wellness area, which boasts a whirlpool, steam bath and three saunas – complete with panoramic windows affording stunning views of the Alpine landscape – now provides direct access to the hotel’s private garden and outdoor pool. The entire original wooden ceiling was preserved, and its design is reflected in the fine stoneware flooring. The sunlit relaxation room is divided into private alcoves, equipped with cosy lounge beds. Soft natural tones, sheer curtains and warm wood create a relaxed, contemporary atmosphere.

Unique & customised.

All 81 rooms were completely revamped, with the layouts of the four room types – from family-friendly apartments to classic doubles – reworked to fit modern standards. The handmade wooden ceilings are just one example of the traditional touches that have been carefully restored to reflect the building’s impressive history; the graphic interpretation of the ceiling patterns in turn serving as design elements, on the headboards, for instance. Natural wood floors, custom-made furniture and a simple, calming colour scheme create a relaxed atmosphere. Soft taupe, emerald-green, terracotta and dove blue accents can be found across all the rooms. All of the carpets, wall hangings and headboards were designed specifically for the Neue Post, with the custom carpets in the hallways being a special highlight.