Renovation of Lower Austria parliament chamber remains on schedule

Renovation work on the Lower Austria parliament chamber in St. Pölten is on schedule and is currently expected to remain below the approved budget of 11.2 million euros, ORF reported. The parliament is scheduled to return to the refurbished chamber in September 2027.

Since construction began in February, the chamber has been completely stripped out. The former visitors’ gallery was demolished and replaced with a new one, while new entrances were created on both levels.

In July, around 50 glass elements weighing approximately 300 kilograms each were removed from the facade. Work is currently focused on the new facade, the heating and cooling ceiling, and the sanitary facilities.

Accessibility is a central focus of the renovation, officials said. Parliament President Karl Wilfing said during a site inspection on Thursday that accessibility would make the chamber more open and welcoming to everyone.

Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner said the renovation would ensure that the central place of democratic debate in Lower Austria remained accessible to all, modernly equipped and appropriately designed.

The new chamber will also face in the opposite direction, with its layout rotated by 180 degrees.

The lawmakers’ chairs will be reupholstered, while the approximately 30-year-old leather will be turned into pen cases and laptop bags. The products will be provided to members of parliament and also used as gifts.

Until the renovated chamber reopens, the Leopoldsaal on the ground floor of the St. Pölten government building will serve as a temporary venue. The final session there is planned for June or July 2027.