Rathausstrasse No. 2, Bregenz

Rathausstrasse No. 2 stands near the town hall, in an area used for local government since 1810. The town has served as a seat of Austrian administration in Vorarlberg since 1726. Its location by Lake Constance supported trade for about 2,000 years, connecting the lake with Alpine routes. By the late 19th century, it had grown into a centre for banking, insurance, and retail, shaping the character of this quarter.

The original structure at No. 2 was designed in 1889 by Johann Stefan Wachter. In 1923, it was significantly rebuilt by Austrian architect Willibald Braun, which shaped much of its current appearance. The façade has a two-part composition, a saddle roof, and a balustrade along the top. Large arched windows define the ground floor and give the building a strong base.

Today, the house forms part of a setting where historic façades stand next to modern architecture, including the Kunsthaus Bregenz, opened in 1997 and designed by Peter Zumthor. Walking through this area, visitors can clearly see how different periods, from the late 19th century to the present, exist side by side within a compact urban centre.