The Austrian government officially inaugurated a new police station on Wednesday at the site where Adolf Hitler was born. The building, located in Braunau am Inn near the German border, underwent a extensive renovation following a yearslong legal dispute over its ownership. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stated during the ceremony that the conversion represents the state’s commitment to addressing the historical heritage of the site.
The renovation cost approximately 20 million euros ($22.8 million) and involved significant structural changes. To reduce the building's recognizability, the facade was repainted from yellow to white, arched windows were replaced with rectangular ones, and the height of the building was extended. A commission of experts previously recommended against turning the site into a museum, suggesting instead a redesign that would discourage individuals from using the location as a site of pilgrimage.
A memorial stone remains on the sidewalk outside the building with an inscription advocating for freedom and democracy while memorializing the victims of fascism. The Austrian Interior Ministry has rented the property since 1972 to monitor its use; however, the building had remained vacant since 2011. The government took full ownership in 2017 after a court ruling authorized the expropriation of the property from its previous private owner.
The conversion follows reports of extremist activity at the site, including instances where visitors were documented performing illegal salutes or taking souvenir materials. Official reports indicate that construction debris from the renovation was disposed of at a secret location to prevent the materials from being collected as memorabilia.