Hundertwasser's "beer tower" in Bavaria will be smaller

MUNICH - One of the last projects of the eccentric Austrian architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who died in 2000, will be realized in the Bavarian town of Abensberg. It concerns a picturesque tower at the brewery in this town, which will be constructed in a significantly reduced form compared to the original design - both in height and width.
The brewery Kuchlbauer wanted to build a striking tower as a prominently visible attraction for the upcoming amusement park Beer World. However, heritage conservationists, considering the historical character of the town's architecture, did not want to hear anything of that. The dispute dragged on for several years after the artist's death, until finally the conservationists relented. The condition is that the tower will not be 70 meters high, as planned, but at most half that - 35 meters. Similarly, the footprint of the building must also be reduced. Construction is set to begin in a few weeks and last about one year.
However, it will not be an ordinary tower. Visually, it will resemble a bent plant stalk with many windows and bay windows, and during the ascent via stairs, visitors will be able to view exhibits on the history of brewing. At a height of 25 meters, there will be an observation terrace, and the top of the tower will feature a "golden ball" with a diameter of ten meters, where the largest collection of beer glasses in the world, totaling 4,200 pieces, will be displayed.
Thus, the tower will primarily attract men and fathers. The beer terrace located beneath it may also appeal to their girlfriends and wives, while a large children's playground "in the style of Hundertwasser's world" of colorful spheres and curves is set to be created nearby.
The reduced project also succeeded because the city expects a significantly increased number of visitors. The mayor of Abensberg, Uwe Brandl, who previously targeted the brewery and its project with lawsuits, is now cooperating. "It will be a tourist attraction of regional significance," he said, according to the APA agency.
Friedensreich Hundertwasser was born in 1929 in Austria as Friedrich Stowasser. He realized the most constructions in Vienna, many of which later became symbols of modern construction in the Austrian capital and tourist attractions. Hundertwasser also built in other parts of Austria and several times in Germany. Last year, for example, his last comprehensive project, the Green Citadel, was completed in Magdeburg. He died on February 19, 2000, at the age of 71 on board a cruise ship returning from New Zealand to his home.