The EHF is set to construct a new headquarters in Vienna ©Burtscher-Durig ZT GmbH

The European Handball Federation (EHF) is planning to build a new headquarters in Vienna with the help of Raiffeisen Property Holding International (RPHI).

The location of the new base is set to be in the Austrian capital's central Neu Marx area in its third district.

"Since its foundation in 1992, the EHF has been residing in Vienna, making it the only international team sports federation based in Austria," said EHF President Michael Wiederer. 

"With the new building, the EHF is once again underlining its close and long-term commitment to the city and the country."

Construction is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2023, with the "Home of Handball" to be used by more than 80 employees from more than 25 EHF nations.

"With the 'Home of Handball', we are creating a place for the future-oriented development of European handball with its more than 350 clubs and top competitions such as the EHF EUROs and the EHF Champions League," said EHF secretary general Martin Hausleitner.

"With RPHI, we have a competent and experienced project partner at our side, who has found the perfect location for us after a long search: close to Vienna's city centre with very good connections to the international airport and in the immediate vicinity of a planned new indoor arena for more than 20,000 spectators."

The EHF has been based in Vienna since its foundation in 1992 and is the only international team sports federation based in Austria ©Getty Images
The EHF has been based in Vienna since its foundation in 1992 and is the only international team sports federation based in Austria ©Getty Images

RPHI has been enlisted as the developer while Vienna-based architecture firm Burtscher-Durig ZT are involved in the implementation of the project as general planner.

The building is expected to boast several meeting rooms including a lecture hall of more than 250 square metres and a TV studio.

It is aimed to not only be a workplace, but a meeting location for European handball stakeholders as well as the venue for draws, conferences and congresses.

Sustainability was considered in the planning phase and, as a result, a photovoltaic system of 240 square metres is set to be installed on the roof.

The building is also due to be constructed with thermal component activation, which is claimed to have a positive effect on the indoor climate year-round.

"I am delighted that with the construction of the 'Home of Handball' we are now implementing the new heart of the Neu Marx site, which will lead to a long-term and sustainable revival of this district," said Karl-Maria Pfeffer, chief executive of RPHI.

"The modern concept of thermal component activation creates a particularly pleasant working and indoor climate for EHF employees."