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.
Source: Zsuffa and Kalmár Architectural Studio / ferencvaros.hu
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 The goal is to replace outdated and often uninhabitable units with safe, energy-efficient apartments, while maintaining the historic atmosphere of the buildings.
Source: Zsuffa and Kalmár Architectural Studio / ferencvaros.hu
Restoring the façade
One of the most important aspects of the renovation is restoring the building’s original façade features. The richly detailed decorations from the historicist era will be brought back to their former glory. On the street-facing side, new wooden windows with insulated glass will be installed, while triple-glazed PVC windows will improve energy efficiency on the inner courtyard side. All utilities in the apartments will be replaced, including new water and sewage systems, and modern heating and ventilation solutions. The surrounding area will also be revitalised: a courtyard garden, green spaces, and green roofs will enhance the livability and provide environmental benefits as well.
A second chance
The history of the Márton Street buildings dates back to the late 1890s. Designed by Ferencz Simon in 1893, the buildings were constructed by master builders Gremsperger and Pánczél. After being nationalised in the 20th century, they were later converted into social housing following the political transition. However, lack of maintenance over the past decades caused severe deterioration, making renovation unavoidable. With the contractor now selected, the Ferencváros rehabilitation zone is gaining another valuable restored building. The project not only preserves the past but also promises a livable, sustainable urban environment for future generations.
Márton Street 8. (Ferencváros) Source: Google Street View
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