With frustration and anger one sees the construction site of the ‘Lamarr’ department store in the Viennese district of Neubau, which has been abandoned after the collapse of the Signa companies. Many are already mourning the former Leiner times, some are already fighting for their existence in the shadow of the shell.
The construction site of the planned Signa ‘Lamarr’ department store has been at a standstill since the holidays: the tobacconist next door is missing the construction workers who have been keeping sales going for some time with their purchases. Officially it is still said that there is no construction stop and that the work is 99 percent completed. Only: this obviously means the scale.
Framework that takes some getting used to
There is not even a trace left of the beginning of the interior work, which should be in full swing by now. Residents and merchants no longer trust reassuring words: they are convinced that soon no one will show up at the construction site anymore – and that the city will continue to be plagued by the dusty concrete skeleton.
Wistful memories of a reliable tradition
Quite a few already mourn the time when ‘the Leiner’ currently stood for a predictable merchant tradition. And anger is growing over Signa Holding’s previous promises about a soon-to-open luxury department store as a new highlight for Mariahilfer Strasse.
The majority of passers-by now doubt whether a department store is still needed there. “You should turn it into a hotel,” says a lady. “We already have enough shabby shops on Mariahilfer Straße, all the major chain stores are already there,” says a passer-by.
City with tied hands
For the time being, the city can do little more than watch and remain relatively passive. Construction police checks ensure that the construction site is secured according to regulations, but that’s about it.
District head Markus Reiter emphasizes: “Whoever the owner is, it is important for us as a district that work on the construction site progresses.” He is committed to ensuring that this also reaches the curator. “We are of course constantly on site and closely monitoring the situation.”
Many merchants around the construction site now have their backs against the wall: they have still maintained their position over the past year and a half despite declining sales, as they hoped for good future business in the slipstream of the temple of consumerism. Now they too are in danger of becoming indirect victims of Signa’s bankruptcy.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
