Kaufmann Group takes over Oberwirt in St. Magdalena

2023-04-21 10:08:00

“The search is finally over. The clubs and the local population are eagerly awaiting that there will finally be an Oberwirt again”: With these words, City Councilor Dietmar Prammer (SP), who is responsible for municipal properties, opened today’s Oberwirt press conference in St .Magdalena. After a search of more than two years, the Kaufmann Group has found a new tenant there. Operation is scheduled to start at the beginning of May, and the orientation as a “traditional inn” should not be shaken.

“A dream has burst”: St. Magdalena is looking for a new host again

LINZ. The Oberwirt inn no longer opens after the lockdown – tenant Christian Rathner stops.

“A dream has burst”: St. Magdalena is looking for a new host again

The general situation with the aftermath of Corona, high energy prices and a lack of employees is still more difficult, said Prammer. It is great that in Philipp Kaufmann there is an entrepreneur who is up to this challenge.

Another traditional inn

The Oberwirt is now the fourth restaurant operated by the Kaufmann Group. In addition to the Beenie.all day café in Urfahr and the Lunzerwirt in the SK VÖEST sports center, this also includes the Cubus in the Ars Electronica Center.

“Since I grew up in St. Magdalena myself, the Oberwirt is a project close to my heart. We thought about it for a long time, after all it’s a big house with lots of places,” said Kaufmann today. They want to “kiss the inn awake again”, the Oberwirt should again become a “real traditional inn, where people like to go”. Kaufmann also emphasized the scenery that visitors have on the roof terrace. “With the view we are unique.”

City councilor Prammer, tenant Philipp Kaufmann and Peter Ilchmann, director of the building management and civil engineering division
Image: City photo

Operations are scheduled to start at the beginning of May, but the exact start date and opening hours have not yet been determined. It is clear that it will not be open seven days a week, says Kaufmann, but at least on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Many people and clubs had reoriented themselves during the closing time, which now has to be brought back. “We’ll be very relaxed, slowly ramping it up again.”

No major changes are planned for the interior of the guest room, the terrace is to be renovated this year. “I think you don’t have to change everything in a traditional inn because that’s exactly what it stands for.” The beer from the Brauunion is to be served. The event hall will also be used again, event bookings are already possible, said Kaufmann.

No bus tourism

Kaufmann does not see the shortcoming of the precarious parking situation, which is repeatedly mentioned in connection with the Oberwirt, as a problem. Especially those who are out and about along the horse promenade at the weekend should ideally not come by car at all. It is important to work out the strengths of the location, it is not a restaurant where guests can travel by bus. That is clear and not planned.

The locality has been owned by the city since 1999, the Oberwirt offers space for up to 300 guests.