The MuseumsQuartier in Vienna was designed by Laurids and Manfred Ortner of Ortner & Ortner Baukunst. Renovation of the former court stables began in April 1998, and the complex opened in stages in June and September 2001. The article describes historic Baroque buildings combined with contemporary museum architecture, and names no client. When the site was the imperial stables it held up to 600 horses and 200 carriages.
The stables were later used for trade fairs and exhibitions, and planning was debated for years. The complex has about 1.23 million square feet (114,310 m²) of space.
It holds 61 cultural institutions, including the Leopold Museum, MUMOK and Kunsthalle Wien, as well as artist residencies and restaurants, and draws about five million visitors a year. The courtyards are free and open around the clock. The MQ says all entrances are wheelchair accessible, but 2002 reporting criticized barrier-free shortcomings.
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