Villa Hold (Feldbach)

The Villa Hold stands in Feldbach, Steiermark, on the Kirchenplatz between the parish church and the main square. Built between 1890 and 1892 in the neo-Gothic style, it was designed by Graz architect August Gunolt for Josefine Hold. She was the widow of Engelbert Hold, a brewery owner, and a niece of Franz Hold, who once owned the Puntigam brewery. Financial troubles forced her to sell the villa and brewery in 1902. The local savings bank bought it in 1918 and converted it for banking use with the help of prisoners of war. The building later became home to the municipal music school, the choral society, the registry office and the citizenship association. Since June 2023 it has housed Feldbach’s city administration. Its neo-Gothic façade and historical interiors remain largely intact despite these changes. The villa’s past as a brewery owners’ residence and a savings bank adds layers to its story. Inside, visitors find rooms with high ceilings, ornate woodwork and large windows that let in natural light. The former banking hall now serves as a rehearsal space for the music school. The registry office occupies a smaller chamber with period fittings. From the Kirchenplatz, the villa’s pointed arches and red-brick detailing stand out against the surrounding buildings.