What: Central Group and Signa have opened ‘Lamarr’, a luxury department store inside a landmark building in Vienna inspired by Austrian icon Hedy Lamarr.

Why it is important: The Lamar department store, set to open in 2024, will be the fifth department store of the KaDeWe group, joining KaDeWe in Berlin, Oberpolliger in Munich, Alsterhaus in Hamburg, and Carsch-Haus in Dusseldorf.

The building has been designed by architecture firm OMA and is in one of the most bustling shopping destinations in Vienna on Mariahilfer Straße boulevard. The department store will total 20,000 square metres of retail space across eight floors with memorable quotations from Hedy Lamarr decorating the walls and elevators. Along with international and local brands, service components will include medical services, a spa, events and art exhibitions.

In addition to the Lamarr, the Thompson Vienna hotel and the 1,000 square metre rooftop park are currently under construction, which will allow tourists to enjoy terrace seating in the gallery garden that connects the hotel to the store.

Central Group and Signa unveil luxury department store in Vienna