The modern building of the Kaufhaus Tyrol shopping center looks surprisingly harmonious among the historic houses of Innsbruck. The beautiful curves of the facade and concrete cells of varying heights are filled with mirrored windows that reflect the boundless Alpine sky by day and the sparkling lights of Innsbruck at night.
This architectural masterpiece was created by the Briton David Chipperfield, an admirer of Art Nouveau and high-tech solutions in construction. The new shopping center building was erected in 2010, after the demolition of the old structure that had stood on this site since the beginning of the 20th century.
Chipperfield applied the principles of sustainable architecture in designing the center: despite the vast floor area, he managed to achieve an optimal heating layout, which significantly reduced both energy costs and environmental pollution.
The Kaufhaus Tyrol department store has been delighting the residents of Innsbruck with a wide selection of goods since 1908. The store survived two wars and changed about a dozen owners until 2005, when the current owner decided to demolish the old department store and build a spacious shopping center.
Today, the Kaufhaus Tyrol shopping center, covering 33 thousand square meters, is home to 55 shops and boutiques. The most popular European clothing and footwear brands, branded cosmetics and perfume stores, jewelry and book shops, supermarkets and home goods stores, beauty salons, cafes, and restaurants are spread across the shopping center's five floors.
