UrbFace: Budapest’s elegant and iconic “skyscraper” hotel will be dismantled, rebuilt – VISUALS, PHOTOS

The team of UrbFace, organiser of thematic sightseeing tours in Budapest, wrote on their Facebook page that the iconic 19-storey Budapest hotel called “Körszálló” will be dismantled and rebuilt. They even shared some spectacular visuals concerning the plans. After the post went viral, the owner, Market Asset Management Ltd, shared a statement highlighting they have not decided on the issue yet. You may find some spectacular photos of the hotel from the 1960s and 1970s below.

New apartments in Budapest’s heart from an old hotel

According to UrbFace, the 19-storey hotel designed by György Szrogh, will be dismantled and rebuilt in its original form. The reconstruction is needed due to static problems and the rearrangement of the partition walls. Based on the plans, they will create a 33.6-sqm lounge, a 305-sqm lobby, a 15.9-sqm reception, two offices, an IT room and a 200-sqm room for engineering on the ground floor. Furthermore, there will be a 97.16-sqm room for rent there.

Photo: FB/UrbFace

Moreover, they will renew the U-shaped ground-floor building. They will create a four-storey parking lot, a 2,000-sqm commercial area and a wellness block with three pools. On the top of the building, there will be rooftop gardens and terraces.

They plan to create 47 apartments from the hotel’s 280 rooms. There will be five 70-sqm (one bedroom) apartments, 21 105-sqm (two bedrooms) apartments, 13 141-sqm (three bedrooms) apartments, four 153-sqm (four bedrooms), and two luxury apartments (153 and 192 sqm) on the 16th and 17th floor.

Here are the visuals.

Photo: FB/UrbFace

Owner says no final decisions have been made

According to index.hu, the Körszálló is under local protection. Sándor Makra, the CEO of the owner, Market Asset Management Ltd, told the press before that they would like to create high-value apartments in the building. However, then, he said the plans were under development.

Index says the company will dismantle the building and erect a new one, but it will look just like the old one. The previous owner, Danubius Hotels, said the building needed an immense investment before they sold it. They added they would like to focus on the renewal and development of the hotels they operate.

The hotel owner issued a statement after UrbFace’s post about the dismantling went viral. They said the development concept was made public without the owner’s and KÖZTI’s consent. KÖZTI made the plans for the new apartment building resembling the “old” hotel. He added they have not made a final decision about the project.

The “Körszálló” was inaugurated in 1967 but requires renovation and modernisation, which needs a high volume of investment.

Panoramic view from the Körszálló:

Read also:

• Budapest’s 10 best hotels: Where to stay for comfort, charm, and luxury – read more HERE
• Hungarian hotel with a scenic view to reopen after a tragedy – PHOTOS and more in THIS article