The lady of the house sits in her light-flooded living room with the expanse of the Wienerberg at her feet. Jasmin Soravia never imagined that the 148 square meter penthouse apartment with a large terrace, located in the south of the capital, would one day become something of an oasis of well-being.
“Moving to the tenth district? No way!” Soravia still remembers the first words that crossed her lips when her husband turned the corner with the idea of moving here. “He had already chosen everything for himself, the proximity to work was important to him,” says the real estate expert with a smile on her lips. “And in the end, he convinced me”. Not only him, but also the apartment itself, because it combines many things that are very important to Soravia when it comes to living.
Of freedom and light
Because for the Carinthian-born woman, daughter of former Strabag board member Karl Soravia and cousin of real estate tycoons Erwin and Hanno, space and perspective are not just words, but principles of life. The managing director of Kollitsch & Soravia Immobilien GmbH, which she runs together with Günther Kollitsch, is one of the few women in the top echelons of the real estate industry and, at more than 1.80 meters tall, appreciates spaces that open up and breathe. “Cramped rooms or dark corners are not for me. I love freedom and light,” she explains, as her gaze wanders through the spacious eat-in kitchen and stops at a Biedermeier cupboard that is properly filled with crockery in a wide variety of color combinations. But anyone who thinks that the lady of the house has collected all these treasures is mistaken. Instead, her husband, to whom she has been married since 2016, selected almost the entire interior, including an impressive collection of glasses and crockery, which are lovingly arranged in the open cupboards. “When it comes to furnishings,” says Soravia with a twinkle in her eye, “he’s the creative one here.
Buying an apartment at night
Jasmin Soravia came to Vienna in 1996 after studying in Graz. She first lived in rented apartments in the second, seventh and fifth districts before buying her first condominium from a friend – literally in the middle of the night. “It was right on the Margaretengürtel, which was crazy in terms of traffic, of course, but with a view.” This was because real estate was anything but her passion back then. Her father instilled in her at an early age that “men in construction don’t take orders from women.” So Soravia, who has a sister, studied business administration, “I actually wanted to become a tax consultant. I even took the tax consultant exam.”
Jasmin Soravia is Networker for women in the industry
But when she joined her cousins’ company, she quickly became fascinated by the operational side of the business. “The opportunity to see real estate projects through from the first draft to completion still excites me today.” This is how she became a pioneer for women in an often male-dominated industry. “Women in management positions are still rare, but things are getting better,” she explains confidently. Once a quarter, she therefore also organizes evenings where women from the real estate industry can network in a relaxed atmosphere. “I only invite women who are managing directors or owners themselves. These meetings are inspiring and full of drive.”
Strength lies in tranquillity
But the couple’s life is also peaceful. Together with her husband, she owns a house in Carinthia in an idyllic setting. “That’s my haven of peace,” she says. While the weeks in Vienna are often filled with meetings and events, the house in Carinthia offers a contrast – close to nature and far away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, after all, her husband also spends most of his time there because he runs a company in Carinthia. “There’s nothing better for me than being out in nature at the weekend.” Spending time together there is a balance to everyday urban life.
And it’s different every day, which makes her happy, because Jasmin Soravia loves action and variety. Nevertheless, she has clear ideas about what she wants and what she doesn’t want. Especially in her job. “For me, a project has to have something special. It’s not enough to just build well – the location and the ambience have to be right.” She selects the projects she manages as a property developer with particular care. “It’s like a personal test – if I would like to live in a building myself, then it’s right for us,” she explains. She is currently developing four projects in Vienna and the surrounding area that specialize in high-quality apartments and exclusive locations. “These houses are not yet standing and are being sold off plan, which is of course a challenge. But we believe that trust is built up by focusing on quality and reliability.”
Quality and location requirements have increased
During the pandemic, she explains, the way many buyers see things has changed dramatically. “You used to be able to sell properties almost anywhere at any price. Today, customers are much more thoughtful in their decisions, and their expectations in terms of quality and location are much higher.” In these challenging times, however, Soravia knows that her projects will stand up to the test. “Our clients are looking for places that offer them not just living space, but real quality of life,” she says, explaining that her portfolio is characterized by unique locations. These include properties in Vienna’s 14th district, in Baden and in the 19th district, which stand out due to their exclusive location and high-quality furnishings.In the evening, when she returns from an event, Jasmin likes to retreat to her desk. “I’m still full of energy in the evening,” she says. This is where she processes emails, keeps up to date with the stock market and then treats herself to some time out on her infrared mat, which she particularly enjoys in winter. “That’s my ritual – an hour of deep relaxation on the mat. After that, I sleep like a rock.” To wake up the next morning with a magnificent view of the Wienerberg. In a home that is an expression of her dynamism and determination – an apartment with history, heights and countless perspectives.
All photos: Sybille Sierlinger
Related posts:
Immo-Leader@Home: Paul Grassel, IG-Immobilien
