Rene Benko

Wealth of the Richest Austrians Grows Despite Global Trends

In its latest issue, the business magazine "trend" publishes its annual ranking of the "100 richest Austrians". In contrast to some global studies, which show a slight decline in the ownership of the super-rich, Austria shows a different development. The assets of the 100 wealthiest individuals and families increased by five percent to a total of around 210 billion euros.

July 11, 2023

Corruption in Austria: Thomas Schmid Wants to Become a State Witness and Incriminates Kurz Government Heavily

The former head of ÖBAG and Secretary General in the Ministry of Finance, Thomas Schmid, has heavily incriminated ex-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP), his former close companion, in the Casag proceedings triggered by the Ibiza video and wants to become a state witness in the proceedings against Kurz. This was announced by the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office (WKStA). Schmid had approached the investigators with the request, but a formal application had not yet been made.

October 19, 2022

Farewell to Formula 1 Legend Niki Lauda

The international sports world and everyone who knew him bid farewell to Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda. Many celebrities were present at the funerals in St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, along with his family, friends and companions. During the requiem, Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen said that we were standing at the coffin of a great Austrian.

May 30, 2019

Kurz in the Emirates and in Kuwait - A Lipizzaner Stallion for the Monarch

Chancellor Kurz visited the UAE United Arab Emirates and the State of Kuwait with an extensive business delegation. Main purpose were deals in in the fields of energy, sustainability, infrastructure, transport and health. Also on the trip were 25 Lipizzan stallions of the Spanish Riding School including riders, which were on a tour in the Emirates. Kurz presented the Crown Prince of the UAE, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with a Lipizzan stallion as a gift from the Republic of Austria.

March 25, 2019

Is Benko's Chrysler Deal in the Big Apple a Bargain?

The New York property firm RFR Holding LLC of German-American Aby J. Rosen, together with Signa Holding of Tyrolean real estate investor Rene Benko, is buying the traditional Chrysler Building in New York City for around 150 million dollars. The land is not part of the deal and the rent amounted to USD 32.5 million in 2018 and will continue to rise to USD 41 million a year by 2028.

March 11, 2019

Benko-Hyatt Project - New Luxury Lifestyle Hotel Opens in Vienna in April 2019

The first Andaz Hotel in Austria, the boutique hotel "Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere" at the new Vienna Central Station, opposite the 21er Haus and the Schweizergarten, next to the park apartments at the Belvedere, is to be opened on 17 April 2019. It is the second project and a 50:50 joint venture between René Benko's Signa Group and Andaz Hotels, an affiliate of Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

March 1, 2019 · Sponsored Content

Niki Lauda Acquires Stakes in Benko's Real Estate Firms

The private foundation of former Formula 1 driver Niki Lauda will acquire 1% of Signa Prime and a 10% stake in Signa Retail.

July 17, 2015

Bilderberg 2015: Full List of All 133 Participants

The full list of all 133 attendees to the top secret Bilderberg Group conference 2015 has been released (see below). The Austrians participating are René Benko, Oscar Bronner, Heinz Fischer, Alfred Gusenbauer, Erich Hampel, Wolfgang Hesoun, Gerhard Roiss, Rudolf Scholten and Karl Sevelda.

June 12, 2015 · Updated: June 12, 2015; 17:45

Signa Buys Karstadt for €1

Austria's Signa Holding takes over struggling German department store chain Karstadt. Signa acquires a 100 per cent stake in Karstadt Warenhaus GmbH from Berggruen Holdings. Berggruen Holdings is going to withdraw from Karstadt Warenhaus GmbH, Karstadt Premium and Karstadt Sports as well as from from each property. The deal ends weeks of speculation over the company's future after the CEO left in July. Rene Benko will pay just €1 for the department store chain. Karstadt operates more than 80 stores across Germany and employs more than 17.000 people.

August 15, 2014

Bank Austria`s Headquarter Sold

The Austrian investor Ronny Pecik has bought the headquarter building of the largest Austrian bank.

December 14, 2013

Bawag Sells Headquarter Building

In order to improve its equity base, the Austrian banking group sells the headquarter building in Vienna´s City.

November 23, 2013

Benko Establishes Joint Venture with Israeli Investor

The Austrian real estate investor René Benko has found a partner. The joint venture will focus on commercial properties in Germany.

January 16, 2013

Austrian Signa Holding Acquires „KaDeWe“ in Berlin

The Austrian real estate group Signa Holding acquired 17 shopping centers in Berlin. In total, the sales price comes at € 1.1bn.

December 22, 2012

Metro Cancels Kaufhof Sale

The Austrian real estate investor René Benko has to abandon the plan to take over the German retail chain Kaufhof.

January 17, 2012

Benko Relieved from Money Laundering Accusations

Investigations against the Austrian real estate investor will end soon, German newspapers report. Benko bids for Metro´s subsidiary Kaufhof.

December 20, 2011

Kaufhof-Deal Not Closed Before 2012

The two main competitors for the German retail chain are the Austrian real estate investor René Benko and the U.S. investor Nicolas Berggruen.

December 17, 2011

Kaufhof: Investigations Cause Delay in Sale Process

Suspicions of money laundering against the Austrian real estate investor René Benko prevent the take-over for the time being.

December 13, 2011

Kaufhof: Benko Offering € 2bn?

The Austrian investor decisively rejected reports that suggested this acquisition price. Metro’s CEO wants to obtain € 2-3bn.

December 8, 2011

Benko Confirms Binding Offer

Both Metro Group and René Benko´s Signa Holding confirmed that a binding offer for Metro´s subsidiary Kaufhof has been put.

December 6, 2011

Kaufhof: Benko Is Preferred

According to the seller, the German Metro Group, the Austrian real estate investor has good odds. Benko will submit a binding offer soon.

December 5, 2011

Wiedeking Joins Benko’s Signa Holding

The German manager becomes a member of the Austrian real estate group’s advisory board.

November 30, 2011

Benko Puts Pressure on Kaufhof

The Austrian real estate investor René Benko presents his growth program and wants to outbid his rival, the U.S. investor Berggruen.

November 28, 2011

Investigations Against Benko

The Austrian real estate investor Benko is suspected for money laundering. Benko denies and sees a link to the Kaufhof-deal.

November 26, 2011

Kaufhof: Benko Has Good Odds

The Austrian real estate investor has high chances to acquire the German retail chain Kaufhof. The sale could be closed before Christmas.

November 19, 2011

Increasing Interest for Kaufhof

The Austrian real estate investor René Benko got another competitor. Now three tenderers in the sale process will participate.

November 14, 2011

Benko to Acquire Kaufhof

The Austrian real estate investor René Benko plans to purchase the retail trade chain Kaufhof from the German Metro group.

November 2, 2011

Signa Holding Invests More than € 1.00bn

The Austrian real estate holding company conducted by Rene Benko intends to put strong effort into further growth.

March 7, 2011

Réné Benko Has already Invested 700 Million Euro This Year

The Tyrolean invests as heavily as before in Vienna and Innsbruck real estate. As to Eastern Europe, he expresses cautious optimism.

October 19, 2010

Low-Cost Gas Stations on Unused ÖBB Property

The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) have signed a framework contract with Markus Friesacher for up to 35 low-cost gas stations on dormant property.

October 19, 2010

Réné Benko Looking for Tenants

The building of a new luxury shopping street in Vienna has begun. The tenants are still missing. If these are not found soon, the project threatens to fail.

October 15, 2010