In May 1877, the municipal council of the city of Vienna – the royal imperial capital and residence – decided to build Vienna’s central cattle market in St. Marx. During this process, the now listed architectural jewel was constructed, according to the designs of the Viennese architect Rudolf Frey, and was subsequently completed in 1881. The basilica-shaped cattle market, consisting of two three-aisled halls, was, from that point in time, the place where the animals were both shown and traded.

With its graceful lightweight construction, Vienna’s first wrought-iron structure was considered an outstanding design achievement at the time of its construction. In 1997, the building was finally given listed status, as the city’s only surviving wrought-iron structure.

The hall, originally almost 50 metres longer, now measures 175 metres in length, 114 metres in width and 17 metres in height. This results in a total area of 20,000 square metres.

After Vienna’s abattoir was relocated in 1997, the hall stood empty for a long time. The iron construction and the roof were restored between 2006 and 2007. From 2011 to 2014, HEY-U Mediagroup developed a successful utilisation concept and began making the initial changes as well as developing the necessary infrastructure. In just a few years, the building, now called MARX HALLE, became the pulsating centre of the new Neu Marx district.