2010.05.05

A new attraction is being built just a 5 minutes’ walk away from our hotel, which according to plans is going to open in November 2010.

The construction began a year ago at a rundown area called ˝Közraktárak”, which in the future will probably be one of the main cultural and tourist sights of Budapest.
Although it is a private investment, the owner of the whole building is Budapest and the developer has the right to operate the building for 35 years.

The new venue is called CET; but where does this name come from? Around 60% of the 3 original storage buildings are going to be renewed. Close to the Fővám tér between the 2 parallel building annexes a great atrium will be built with a specific metal-glass roof, which overhangs throughout the whole building. So the shape of the overall building resembles a whale (in Hungarian ˝CET˝), which is short for Central-European Time.

Additionally to the building, a garage with 250 spaces is being built under the 31.000m2 big building which will also be home of shops, restaurants and cafes on 3 floors. Moreover, a conference room located on the second floor will provide a proper place for events for up to 1050 people.

Also, if front of the annexed building with a view to the Danube a 200-meter-long promenade will be established and behind the building an open-air terrace will be built which will be connected to the ˝Nehru-part”.

Particularly, CET won’t be mainly a commercial centre; rather it will accommodate bookstores, galleries, applied art-and design-shops and its intention and project will not become the competitor neither of Palace of Arts nor the Millenáris Park.

As hoteliers and due to the close proximity of our hotel we will try to build a special cooperation with CET similarly to the existing relations with the Hungarian National Theatre, since I think that such a spectacular venue with abundant cultural programs will attract many Hungarian and foreign guests.

2010.04.06

The project of the development of the ˝New Main Street of Budapest˝ began in May 2009. During the 11 month process, the 2, 7 kilometre section of road between Kálvin and Szabadság Square was totally renovated with innovative new technologies. The street was covered with limestone, unique street furniture was placed along the road and the street-lighting was renewed with environmental friendly solutions.

The main aim was to renovate the historical city centre and to control the limitation of traffic. The design is mixed with historical and modern style, contemporary and bright characteristics and with the standard styled street furniture. Most likely, the fountain at Szabadság Square will be one of the most spectacular sights as one can walk across the ˝intelligent˝ waterfall without getting wet.

In the city centre, statues will be mounted similar to the earlier ones, such as the ˝scootering figure˝and the ˝girl playing with the dog˝.
Also, along the new main street, broadband Wi-Fi connection will be available and the Budapest Transportation Company will change the buses of line 15 to smaller ones.

Moreover, there was also an investment for 104 bicycle storage, 116 benches and 73 trees were planted, while only 3 were cut down.

Due to the main street`s project, several traffic and driving directions will change in the 5th district and will be effective from the 6th of April. The most relevant area is between Kossuth Lajos utca and the ˝small boulevard˝. Eventually, cars will now be able to drive into Kecskeméti street from Kálvin Square. Boutique Hotel Zara^**** is located in Só street and parallel with Vámház körút between these streets is Veres Pálné Street, which will now be a 2-way street.

Furthermore, on the other side of Veres Pálné street (between Irányi and Szerb Street) the traffic direction will also change, and from next week, Szerb Street will be reachable from Irányi street.