The houses along Mariahilfzeile form a wonderful, cohesive ensemble that has retained its structure for many centuries. The building type is primarily late medieval and early modern townhouses – narrow, tall, and staggered in height. As for their appearance: even though the foundations are ancient, the current look and vibrant colors mostly date from the Baroque, Rococo, or Biedermeier periods . Back then, the houses were simply remodeled according to the prevailing fashion. The current bright colors we see today are the result of a restoration intended to highlight the colorful appearance of earlier eras. Take a closer look: there are an incredible number of bay windows projecting from the facades. These aren't just stylish; they also served a very practical purpose: they enlarged the living space and brought more light into the rooms in the narrow alleyways.