Austria converts Hitler birthplace into police station

Vienna’s city council approved a renovation of the former National Socialist Party headquarters on 12 July, converting the structure into a public cultural centre and installing a permanent historical exhibition. The move, supported by members of the ruling coalition and opposition parties, aims to remove the building’s status as a symbolic rally point for extremist groups. Officials said the redesign will include the removal of original façade elements associated with the Nazi era, the addition of educational displays, and restricted access to the interior for private events.

Politicians highlighted the change as a preventive measure against neo‑Nazi pilgrimages, noting that the site has previously attracted far‑right demonstrators seeking to commemorate the regime. By repurposing the premises and foregrounding Austria’s democratic values, the government expects to diminish the building’s appeal to extremist sympathizers while providing a venue for community activities and historical reflection.