Zell am See begins demolition of old boathouse for new restaurant

Demolition has begun on a long-vacant boathouse on the shore of Lake Zell, where a new restaurant is planned, ORF reported. A local hotelier family is investing around 4.5 million euros in the project.

The boathouse on Zell am See’s Esplanade had stood empty and deteriorating since 2008. It is to be replaced by a modern restaurant with a small landing area, a bar and restaurant operation.

The project is expected to provide around 140 indoor seats and another 120 outdoor seats. It also includes a new public toilet and a redesigned forecourt.

Hotelier and developer Sebastian Hörl won a tender issued by the municipality around four years ago. Mayor Andreas Wimmreuter said the lakeside location was particularly sensitive, which had made the approval process take several years.

The area around the restaurant is also due to be upgraded. The public toilets will be extensively renovated, while the area currently occupied by a kiosk is planned as a meeting zone for pedestrians and cyclists. The forecourt will be landscaped and planted.

A crowdfunding campaign is planned to give local residents the opportunity to invest financially in the project. If work proceeds as planned, the restaurant is scheduled to open in May next year.