Revitalisation of Budapest’s Ferencváros: 19th-century tenement reborn with green features

Ferencváros has reached a new milestone in its urban renewal program: the apartment building at 8 Márton Street is undergoing a full renovation, resulting in 39 modern social housing units, while preserving the historical character of the property.

Another milestone in Ferencváros revitalisation

As reported by Magyar Építők, the Municipality of Ferencváros has taken another major step in the revitalisation of the district by announcing the results of the public procurement for the reconstruction of buildings A and B at 8 Márton Street. The winning contractor, BUILD IT Mérnökiroda Zrt., will construct 39 modern social rental apartments, most of them between 45 and 55 square meters. The development is part of the broader Középső-Ferencváros rehabilitation program, which aims to preserve aging buildings and improve living conditions. Since the properties are under local heritage protection, special attention will be paid to retaining their historical features throughout the renovation.

Creating livable homes

The condition of the two buildings, each over a century old, has deteriorated significantly in recent decades. Parts of the 8/b building’s ceilings had to be shored up, the basements became unusable, and many apartments lacked basic comforts. The renovation plans were created in 2023 by Zsuffa and Kalmár Architects. After demolition of the inner wings, a new extension will be added from the courtyard side, turning the L-shaped street-facing wings into a U-shaped layout. The basements will be reinforced and waterproofed, eventually housing storage units and utility systems. The goal is to replace outdated and often uninhabitable units with safe, energy-efficient apartments, while maintaining the historic atmosphere of the buildings.