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Secret tunnels discovered under Hungary’s first mall in Budapest!
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The renovation of the first mall of Hungary is currently underway, and although it was originally planned to be inaugurated this spring, due to some circumstances, the historic building will only be open to the public next year.
The history of the building goes back almost a century since it was inaugurated on March 1st, 1926, founded by the company German M. J. Emden und Söhne from Hamburg.
The cinema
Before the mall opened, there was a cinema at the lot, called the Apolló mozi, which was the first permanent cinema in Hungary built for screening movies, Index writes.
The Oscar-winning creator of Casablanca, Micheal Curtiz (born as Mihály Kertész), produced his first feature films within its walls, the site added.
The mall
Construction began in 1924, and the building was designed with care and attention to detail, adorned with several statues, reliefs, and carved details all throughout the building, as well as with beautiful lamps.
After opening, the mall became very popular and was the staple of Budapest fashion. It not only attracted customers from Budapest and its surrounding areas, but people even went shopping there from abroad.
Apart from selling fashion pieces, lingerie, shoes, and hats, people could visit a railway ticket office, a household goods store, a carpet store, as well as a photography studio, a café, and a restaurant.
Clothes were fitted to customers by 60 seamstresses, and free brochures were sent out by post so that people could see the available products and, if needed, people could order tailoring to their own homes.
Customers were amazed when the country’s first escalator was installed in 1931.
However, history left its mark on the building, and conflicts and revolutions left it damaged, and the original façade was hidden behind metal sheets. However, the renovation, which aims to restore the old glory of the place, is underway.
I hope thing back the Spar logo that was on the roof and on the top level. It worked better with sheet metal facade that replaced the original face. That was the thing to do in the 60s and it didn’t take conflicts and revolution to make it popular.
Thousands of great old building were defaced. Sort of reminds me of some the new park and street fixtures – friendly organic inviting must not go. Toothpick bare aluminum light poles and interesting benches are forbidden. Better to leave a trashed look with graffiti and stickers-it makes younger people more comfortable win no less than 10 rips in their pants.