The Günter Restaurant Emerges from a Nondescript Chain Hotel in Vienna

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When it comes to run-of-the-mill chain hotels—especially those close to major transit hubs like Vienna’s Westbahnhof (Western train station)—ground-floor amenities tend to be rudimentary and standardized, offering exactly the same thing regardless of location. Lobbies, adjoining restaurants, and bars are rarely anything special; a far cry from what boutique destinations tend to offer these days. That all changes with Paris-based Atelier OLK’s comprehensive renovation of the Ibis Wien Mariahilf.

Modern restaurant interior by Atelier OLK with red walls, geometric patterns, large plants, and a wooden reception desk labeled "Günter." Tables and chairs are arranged neatly throughout the space.

Modern restaurant interior by Atelier OLK featuring red floors, tiled walls, lush green plants, and contemporary lighting. Tables are set for dining, with a stylish bar area visible in the background.

Why shouldn’t these oft-underutilized, drab, yet sizable spaces—often situated in central, densely populated, and desirable locations—serve a greater purpose and look good doing so? That’s exactly what the practice set out to do.

A cocktail and a glass of water sit on a round table next to two patterned bar stools; the room, designed by Atelier OLK, features blue tiled walls and bold red and white accents.

A modern restaurant interior by Atelier OLK with red walls, patterned floors, red upholstered seating, set tables, plants, and silver globe pendant lights.

Transforming the hotel’s nearly 10,000-square-foot street level into the newly opened Günter Restaurant, Bar & More, Atelier OLK opted for two complementary strategies. On the one hand, it sought to honor the rich design history of the city—the late 19th- and early 20th-century prowess of wildly influential talents like Josef Hoffmann, Otto Wagner, and Adolf Loos. On the other, it championed efficiency, a level of functionality aligned with today’s need for flexibility, comfort, and in-person social interaction. The new offering is indeed a third, even fourth, place for both hotel guests passing through and neighborhood residents alike, those in need of such refuge. A few years back, no one would have thought the nearby Ibis could be it.

A modern restaurant interior by Atelier OLK, featuring red accents, orange chairs, patterned flooring, white tiled columns, and a long bar lined with stools. Tables are set and plants are placed throughout the stylish space.

A round, modern pendant light by Atelier OLK hangs from the ceiling in a red room with a tiled wall and a vertical strip of square tiles.

In true Viennese fashion, there’s a duality of influences: the restraint that comes from the North (Germany) and the exuberance that comes from the South (Italy and other Mediterranean countries). The firm’s comprehensive intervention is both rigorous and geometric, yet also sensual and layered. Sparingly textured noble materials play well with red velvets, leopard prints, and chrome accents.

Modern restaurant interior by Atelier OLK with red floors and walls, geometric tile accents, wooden furniture, large potted plants, and patterned chairs arranged around set tables.

Restaurant table setting with white plates, clear glasses, cutlery, and leopard print placemats by Atelier OLK. Red velvet seating and potted plants are visible in the background.

Atelier OLK began by removing the drop ceilings that had rendered the space cavernous and chose to expose mechanical equipment like ducting in order to create greater depth and imbue the space with monumentality. It then redistributed walls and, guided by the pillars of the parking garage above, delineated a series of alcoves: intimate yet connected seating arrangements. There are also areas dedicated to karaoke nights, conferences, and talks. The monumental counter, at the space’s core, is used to serve breakfast among other meals.

A close-up of a wood-paneled corner by Atelier OLK, featuring red and white vertical stripes at the base, red upholstered seating, and a floor with wood, red, and black-and-white tile patterns.

A modern restaurant interior by Atelier OLK features red walls, blue tiled columns, geometric patterns, and tables with red and floral chairs. Large leafy plants add vibrant greenery to the inviting space.

Throughout, patterns borrowed from the Secession era intermix with decidedly contemporary flourishes. Graphical floor inlays are delimited by indicated pathways, their marble patterns reminiscent of traditional Viennese interiors. Tiles—black, white, and otherwise—play well together, producing visual effects that are structured yet expressive. The introduced furnishings are far less austere; far more impish and eclectic.

A modern bar by Atelier OLK with red tile, animal print barstools, globe pendant lights, a tiled column, lush plants, and wood flooring in a vibrant, colorful interior.

A bartender stands behind a red-tiled bar with a gold counter at Günter restaurant, designed by Atelier OLK. Shelves with bottles and a neon Günter sign glow in the background.

The space is grounded yet airy, sensible and sensorial. It’s optimistic, certainly as an example of how other such properties in Austria, Europe, and the wider world could be transformed.

A modern bar by Atelier OLK features a tiled wall, an illuminated "Günter" sign, shelves stocked with bottles and glassware, red pendant lights, and a countertop adorned with cups and a red coffee machine.

A round Atelier OLK pendant light hangs over a table with glassware, set against a red wall with geometric tile and a plant partially visible on the right.

A modern café interior by Atelier OLK features red walls, geometric black and white tile accents, hexagonal tables, assorted chairs, and globe pendant lights.

A modern bar by Atelier OLK features red tile, patterned barstools, round hanging lights, potted plants, and grid-patterned columns in a vibrant interior space.

A modern restaurant interior by Atelier OLK with red and wood accents, globe light fixtures, green plants, and large windows letting in natural light.

A red chair by Atelier OLK sits against a wall with geometric red and white tile patterns beneath a red-painted section, near a window with trees visible outside.