Most Famous Hungarian-Designed Skyscrapers

Perhaps the only real American-style skyscraper in Budapest is the so-called OTI Palace on Fiumei út, built between 1912 and 1931 according to the plans of renowned architects Marcell Komor and Dezső Jakab. Although the imposing building, which today lacks the top of its tower, is dwarfed by New York structures, the former insurance company head office is an outstanding example of the Art Deco style in Hungary.

Although dwarfed by Manhattan’s skyscrapers, the OTI Palace near the Keleti railway station (seen here on a vintage postcard) is probably the only genuine example of American-style architecture in Hungary

There are, however, a number of historic “mini-skyscrapers”, which fit into the cityscape by size but resemble New York architecture in their features:

Párisi Nagy Áruház on Andrássy út, built according to the plans of Gusztáv Petschacher in 1882, was the period’s most modern “shopping centre” (photo: irodahazak.info)

Now, let’s take a look at some real skyscrapers across the world that were built according to the designs of Hungarian architechts:

1. Edifício Martinelli, São Paulo (Vilmos Fillinger, 1922)

When built, the Martinelli Building in Brazil’s largest city was the first skyscraper not only in the country but also in the whole of South America. The 30-storey, 130-metre high building, named after its commissioner, was finished in 1934.

2. Fisher Building, Detroit (Géza Maróti, 1928)

The Art Deco decorations and lobby of the Fisher Building in the Motor City are the work of Hungarian designer Géza Maróti, who is noted for having designed ornate decorations for buildings from Milan to Mexico City. A resident of Hungary throughout his entire life, he also designed statues for Budapest’s Academy of Music and the Gresham Palace.

3. Park Hotel, Shanghai (László Hugyecz, 1934)

The 24 (22 according to some sources) storey, 84-metre building was the tallest building in the whole of Asia until 1952. It remained the highest structure in 1966 and in Shanghai until 1983. It combines Art Deco elements with Chinese symbolism and is known throughout the world for its ballroom, which features a roof that can be collapsed to open up to the skies.

4. Imre Róth’s Manhattan skyscrapers (Twenties and Thirties)

Several of the Hungarian-born architect’s buildings directly face Central Parks and are under federal protection. The influence of the architect, who remains little-known in his native country, did not end with his death in 1948; his company, Emery Roth & Sons, continued to design iconic buildings such as the World Trade Center, which was destroyed in 2001.

5. Chicago skyscrapers (János Mácsai, Sixties and Seventies)

Born in 1926, renowned Hungarian-born architect János (John) Mácsai’s buildings (such as the skyscraper in the centre and right side of the pictiure) can be seen across the Windy City.

6. Absolute World Towers, Mississauga

Hungarian-born architect Attila Burka, who emigrated from the country in 1956, took part in the construction of the famous and award-winning Absolute World Towers, also called Marilyn Monroe Towers, in the Canadian city.

via hungarytoday.hu/ index.hu

Feature Picture: http://chinaventure.h.c.f.unblog.fr