Hauptplatz23 – Where Tradition Meets Modern Access Control with Tapkey

Hauptplatz 23 is a historic townhouse with roots going back to the 12th century. It stands for tradition, art, and a sustainable future. The goal: to preserve the building as a space for connection, learning, and discussion—while shaping it for the future. Surrounded by Renaissance arcades and centuries-old architecture, the team needed a modern access control solution that would work in harmony with the building’s structure. The answer? Tapkey. Hauptplatz 23 found a digital solution that fits their needs perfectly.

The Business Model Behind Hauptplatz 23

Hauptplatz 23 is more than just a building. It’s a place for connection, trust, learning, and reflection.

“It’s about the house as a brand—and that gives us the flexibility to adapt our business model,” says Iris Mayr.

The concept is broad and flexible. It includes commercial rentals—like the Uhrensalon by Mayrhofer GmbH or a boutique—plus an on-site restaurant and Airbnb flats. The focus: sustainable use and development.

“Sustainability also means economic viability. It’s not about growth at any cost, but rather growing at a pace we can handle and that creates lasting success—across generations,” adds Iris.

Key rental offerings include two Airbnb units, a coaching room, a 100 m² workshop space, and small private offices. A community of coworkers contributes to the culture of the house, shaping it alongside the permanent tenants.

The Challenge: Old Doors, Many Access Points

The building has multiple external doors around the Renaissance courtyard—making access management tricky. The team needed a solution that was easy to use, worked with the old structure, and still offered top-notch security.

“It became clear quickly: We needed a digital solution that allows access to many people—and is easy to manage,” says Iris.

With many different users needing access—whether for coaching, workshops, offices, or accommodation—the team wanted a solution that was simple to manage via app. Cost and time efficiency were also top priorities.

Why Tapkey? 

After testing several systems, they chose Tapkey for good reason. Tapkey is a great match for historic buildings with challenging doors and offers stable, reliable access management.

What mattered most: a digital system that is easy to manage from one central platform—ideal for both changing users and internal staff. It also had to require minimal maintenance, offer long battery life, and ideally be developed in Austria or the EU. An integration with the workspace platform Nexudus was also key.

“A modern solution like Tapkey helps us manage access to coaching rooms, seminar spaces, offices, and flats efficiently—while keeping running costs under control,” explains Iris.

Installation and Everyday Use

Installing the Tapkey Smart Locks was smooth and straightforward. A total of 17 locks were fitted across the building—from shop entrances on the ground floor, to the kitchen and reception doors, all the way up to offices on the upper levels.

“The installation was easy, and the interface is super intuitive. That saved us time and effort—while boosting security,” Iris confirms.

Today, about 50–60 people open doors and gates using Tapkey on a regular basis.

A New Daily Routine with Tapkey

Tapkey turned out to be a true game-changer for Hauptplatz 23. One highlight: the integration with Nexudus, which has simplified operations for more than a year now.

“The setup was super easy and the instructions were crystal clear—it saves us so much time,” Iris shares.

How it works: When someone books a space through Nexudus, a user is automatically created in Tapkey and given access for the booked time. No manual input needed.

For long-term users, the team manually updates the user profile in Tapkey—adding company names or membership types—and assigns unrestricted access to certain doors. Best part? It’s a one-time setup.

In practice, around 95% of users access rooms via the Tapkey app. That means minimal syncing issues with physical tags and low admin overhead.

“We love the new web portal—it’s fantastic for us as admins!” says Iris.

Security Meets Flexibility

Tapkey not only simplifies access but also boosts flexibility—especially outside of regular hours. That’s a big plus for the restaurant and coaching rooms, which are often used evenings and weekends.

“Our guests can use the spaces at any time of day,” explains Iris. “Thanks to smart access management, we can grant access outside working hours—without extra admin.”

Hauptplatz 23 proves how tradition and innovation can coexist. With Tapkey, they’ve found a solution that respects the building’s history while meeting today’s expectations for flexibility and security. And they’re not done yet—plans to install even more smart locks are already in the pipeline.

Portrait of Iris Mayr, Photo credit: Antje Wolm

Interview with Iris Mayr,
Managing Director | Hp23 GmbH

After completing her studies in Linz, Salzburg, and Seville, Iris spent many years working at Ars Electronica, most recently as Head of the Prix Ars Electronica. This was followed by international projects such as “Media City_Seoul” and contributions to “Linz09.” Later, she was also involved with Kepler Salon and the KinderUniSteyr. Today, she teaches media design at the University of Art and Design Linz and connects people, topics, and places under the motto “Mesh work” – for example, at Hauptplatz 23.