The new Visitor Center is a contemporary foyer for visitors to the baroque palace in Vienna's city center. It provides improved museum infrastructure such as information desks, ticketing, museum shop, wardrobe and sanitary facilities.

Throughout the subterranean Visitor Center the presence of the Upper Belvedere can always be felt while a sense of anticipation is being generated.

The grand staircase in the central axis of the palace is extended underground. Through its presence it provides the main point of orientation for the flow of visitors. Upon entering the Visitor Center that staircase is already visible and the entire hall can be overlooked from the higher level where the information desk welcomes the visitors. Orientation and movement through the space and in between the different functions happens naturally.
The arches and vaults of the historic structure provide the reference points for the geometry of the new construction. The slab underside is the connecting element between the existing and the new building.

The main entrance is now directly accessible from the main road in close proximity to the bus and tram stops. The pedestrian route from Vienna's main station along the same road is improved. Visitors approaching the Upper Belvedere through the courtyard passing by the large water basin are led to an additional side entrance which brings them into the foyer likewise.

The baroque castle is one of Austria's most important historic landmarks and under the highest preservation order. Changes to the appearance must be limited to the necessary minimum. The glass roofs of the new buildings skylights are the only addition and are integrated in the parks geometry. Upon approaching the palace from a low viewing angle these glass surfaces reflect the lower parts of the facade and are hardly distinguishable from the adjacent surface.

The new main entrance is integrated into the socle of the lateral wing and is submerged slightly below street level while descending ramps provide wheel chair accessibility.