Paris
Nagy Aruhaz Building, Andrassy Ut, Budapest
Architect
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Zsigmond Sziklai
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Date Built
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1911 - renovated
2007 - 2009
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Location
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Andrassy Ut
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Description
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This
building, occupied today by the Alexander
Bookstore, started life in 1911 as the Paris
Department Store. Designed in the Art
Nouveau style, by the Hungarian architect
Zsigmond Sziklai, its exterior is impressive
enough, but inside there is a surprise.
You enter through the very modern looking
bookstore, featuring the original central
atrium, but when you travel up the escalator,
you see ahead of you an ornate 19th Century
ballroom, occupied today by the Bookcafe.
The ceiling of the
"Bookcafe" hall is decorated by murals
created by Karoly (Charles) Lotz, whose work
can be seen in many buildings in Budapest,
including St Stephen's Basilica and the
Opera House.
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