Buda’s Bem square to be restored and updated

The facade of the building on Bem square is quite significant for the cityscape, and now it will finally be restored to its former glory, with a few updates. 

Despite recent rumours that the main facade of Bem square, Radetzky Barracks, is going to be demolished, it will actually be renovated, and its significant features will be preserved, as part of a large-scale development plan. The original decorative elements of the main facade will be restored as well, which were damaged during WWII. The plans were made and designed by multiple Ybl Award-winning architect company, 3h Architects, reported Octogon.

The Radetzky Barracks was built in 1840 as a food depot in a Classist style, which was later converted into barracks in 1897. Part of the building has been demolished in recent years, and there was a plan would have seen the whole building being torn down to the ground, except for the artefact-like facade.

 For the renovation, investors requested an architect office that had extensive experience in monument renovations but would also breathe new life into and revive the building along with its surroundings – by following UNESCO criteria and consulting with the authorities.

“It is a significant place and building in the life of the city. Everyone included felt this responsibility, so in the last year and a half we have not hurried, we have carried out careful and diligent preparatory work, we have consulted with the relevant authorities on numerous occasions. With former and current representatives of the 2nd district and the capital, both chief architects and mayors,” Mihály Schrancz, Managing Director of Property Market explained.  “The gradual incorporation of the official and leadership requests made during these discussions, as well as the helpful urban architectural and monumental professional remarks were included in our plans. Based on the feedback from the people involved, the appropriate solutions were developed. We are glad that the prepared plans also won the approval of the Mayor. I am convinced that we are planning to build a building that pays homage to the past, preserves real values, and with its help, Bem Square and its surroundings will finally resurrect. A historically significant but unusable building will receive new features that meet today’s real needs. We are renovating one of our capital’s undeservedly neglected building complexes.”

The barracks will be demolished, however, the main facade will be rescued and restored to its former glory. Construction will begin in October.

Hopefully, the transportation of the area will also be sorted out. Besides the restoring of the barracks’ facade, Bem Square, in front of the building, is expected to be renovated as well. 

3h Architect’s Office has assessed and considered many aspects, such as the height of the surrounding buildings, the proper layout of the building – in agreement with the district –, and the appropriate designing of the ledge height that defines the street view greatly. The fact that the building, especially its facade, greatly defines the atmosphere of Bem Square was a primary consideration in the design process. The restored and renovated one would continue to do the same.

The parts of the building which face the Danube and the park, and therefore are frequented a lot, will be turned into a hotel with around 130 rooms, behind the hotel an office will be built. There will essentially be two buildings, which will be connected via their upper levels. The bottom of the building will be made out of limestone, while the top will be glazed.