Brixen breathes tradition, yet never stops looking forward. It’s a city that proves just how beautifully contrasts can complement each other: open-minded, bold, deeply rooted. Here, centuries-old walls blend seamlessly with modern architecture. Craftsmanship meets high-tech. And behind every espresso, beer, or glass of wine lies a story. It’s the perfect place to experience the future – hands-on.
Our Think Tank in South Tyrol wasn’t about the next big product or trend. It was about the bigger picture: fresh perspectives, bold ideas, and honest conversations about where the e-bike industry needs to go. Out of the box. With brains and heart. And because the best talks rarely happen in a meeting room—but over coffee, on a ride, or with a glass of wine in the sun—we’re taking you on a little tour through Brixen. These are the spots where we sat down with international Think Tank participants to reimagine the future of e-bikes.
From the award-winning boutique hotel Badhaus to the iconic library, from the laid-back Alte Schlachthof to the stylish Soley, up to the Plose and finally to the traditional Griesserhof – each of these places represents an aspect that makes the future possible.
Brixen is blazing new trails in the bike world – and the bike festa Südtirol is proof. This vibrant event brings together brands, people, and motion with culture, art, and cuisine. It’s all about celebrating, creating, and enjoying: from test rides through the city, vineyards, and Dolomites to creative happenings and hands-on workshops, plus plenty of indulgent moments with South Tyrolean delicacies. More than just a festival, bike festa is a meeting place for locals and visitors, young and old – a sustainable GreenEvent that lets you experience Brixen’s unique blend of urban life, nature, and pure joy.
Boutique Hotel Badhaus – Where Architecture Meets Attitude
Right in the heart of the old town, framed by the city’s historic architecture, stands the Boutique Hotel Badhaus – a place that proves modern style and history aren’t mutually exclusive. Almost invisible from the pedestrian zone, a small, unassuming covered alley leads to the hotel. Where the medieval bathhouse from 1374 once stood, a newly-built courtyard now invites you to linger. It’s here that Brixen-based architecture Studio Bergmeisterwolf has created a boutique hotel that nestles between the old buildings like a piece of the future, framed by the past. And it’s here in this courtyard that our Best Brand Award Night took place.
Brixen City Library – Architecture of Knowledge
Just a stone’s throw from the cathedral square, right in the historic center of Brixen, the new city library rises – a place that proves architecture can do more than just create space. Between ancient walls and modern lines, between past and future, an ensemble of old and new buildings has emerged that feels like an architectural manifesto for openness. The architects Carlana Mezzalira Pentimalli integrated several historic structures – a former tax office, a courthouse, even a prison – into a new build that doesn’t erase the old but weaves it all together. Around 3,000 square meters in total, merged into a “cultural tree” whose branches spread out into light, space, and knowledge.
Between shelves stacked with knowledge and rooms made for thinking, we discussed, debated, and laughed – about new paths, smart solutions, and what keeps the industry moving. Sitting here, you realise: the future takes shape where we don’t tear down the old but build upon it. Just like in the e-bike world.
Alter Schlachthof – Beer, Concrete, and Soft Cushions
Where animals were once weighed, people now sit and talk about the world – over a cold half pint. The Alte Schlachthof proves that history doesn’t have to be erased, it can be refined. The vision of its creators, the Viertel Group, is clear: bringing people together – in special places, with honest products, where art, culture, and contemporary spirit come alive. Creating “special places” where connection, enjoyment, and conversation take center stage. Cross-generational, casual, and full of life.
Both the beer and the space are crafted with real care. The house-brewed beers from the Viertel brewery are made exclusively with regional, partly organic ingredients. Seven core varieties form the base, rounded out by seasonal specials. Brewed with precision and full of character, they fill the air with the scent of malt. Glasses clink, voices hum. Between concrete and wood, hops and ideas, the lines blur between workshop, tavern, and living room.
Architect Claudia Unterhauser made a point of preserving traces of the past during the renovation, blending them with modern elements and soft cushions. It’s this mix of raw charm and genuine hospitality that makes the Alte Schlachthof so special – a place where you arrive, settle in, and gladly order a second beer.
Soley Restaurant – Aperitivo With a View
Lunch at Soley, sun on the terrace, a glass in hand – and suddenly, the break becomes more than just a pause. Between clean lines, light materials, and a terrace where the sun lingers until your last thought falls into place, the line between work and dolce vita starts blurring.
The architecture rounds off the experience: the building was designed with a modern, almost minimalist approach – spaces opened up, light deliberately captured. Large windows offer sweeping views over the old town, while refined materials like wood and stone bring warmth. As Aperol and DJ beats fill the air, conversations arise that stick – right here, between design and chill vibes. At Soley, future thinking becomes tangible without being forced: you just go with the flow and soak up the sun.
Plose – Ride, Reflect, Repeat
Sometimes you need to get out to see things more clearly. The Plose, Brixen’s local mountain, is the perfect place for that. Flow trails, epic views, pure freedom – up here, progress reveals itself in motion. Between roots, dust, and wide-open vistas, the Ride-Out made one thing clear: ideas don’t come at a desk – they come in the flow. The mountains remind us what really matters: balance, movement, and the courage to push past limits. That’s what makes innovation possible – on the bike and in life.
Griesserhof – Where the Future Tastes Like Tradition
After a day full of ideas, debates, and trails, there’s no better place to wind down than the Griesserhof in Vahrn. Surrounded by vineyards, apple trees, and ancient walls, Paul Huber welcomes us with a glass of his own Sylvaner – golden like the last light of the day, honest in taste. The evening sun bathes the estate in a warm glow, a firepit keeps the chill at bay. Voices and laughter mix with the clinking of glasses. It’s one of those moments when you realise that time moves differently here – or maybe just matters a little less.
First mentioned in 1192, the Griesserhof is living history. In the 250-year-old parlour, the air smells of wood, wine, and a hint of the past. Paul didn’t just take over his parents’ tavern – he reimagined it, with respect, craftsmanship, and a clear vision. Everything served here tells a story – of the soil, the craft, and the spirit behind it all.
The architecture mirrors that spirit — old stone walls, carefully restored beams, and modern accents that don’t intrude but create space to breathe. Out on the terrace, where your gaze drifts across the vineyards, time simply slips away. It’s the perfect place to arrive, unwind, and savour the moment. The Griesserhof isn’t just a restaurant, a winery, or a museum – it’s all of that in one, and more. A place where tradition is alive, without standing still. Between homemade grape juice, Schlutzkrapfen, and a slow-food philosophy, it becomes clear what progress really means – not speed, but staying power. The very essence of Törggelen.
Brixen and its special places proved that the future doesn’t happen online – it happens in real places. With real people. People that come together, share ideas, and try something new. Between modern architecture and South Tyrolean lifestyle, one thing became clear: it takes a collective spirit to think differently. What we found were real conversations and the things we were looking for all along – inspiration, laughter, and a deeper understanding of each other. Maybe with an espresso in hand or a cold beer in the sun.
Words: Susanne Feddersen Photos: Diverse
