Once Budapest's most elegant department store, then an aluminium-covered party spot, the palace-like but ramshackle walls of the Corvin Department Store have seen some rough decades. But all is bright in the end: after a revamp, the building is back in its former glory, ready to reopen in October.
The famous Corvin Department Store
Meet an icon: Corvin Department Store opened its gates in 1926 on the always-busy Blaha Lujza tér and quickly became one of the most elegant stores in Budapest. It used to be chic, modern and inviting, boasting a stunning façade adorned with mythological figures and huge glass windows. Inside, fashion shows and exhibitions were held, and in the afternoons, live music entertained visitors. The building also housed Hungary’s first-ever escalator.
Socialist era
In the 1960s, during the socialist era, the square underwent a major facelift, and the department store had to be modernised. Settling for the cheapest option, they covered the walls with massive aluminium plates, hiding the building's rickety glory.
The rebirth of the building
In 2017, after half a century, the decision to remove the massive aluminium layer covering the façade was finally made. Renovation began, and since June 2023, the building has been back to its former glory, standing tall and proud on the also revamped Blaha Lujza tér.
By now, the reopening date has been unveiled, too: on October 19th, the store officially begins its new life as the Corvin Palace. It will house the supermarket SPAR, Erste Bank, and two cafés: Tejmadár, specialising in the Hungarian dessert floating island, and Solinfo Café. On top of these, a bookshop and a pharmacy are located within the building, which you can visit already. While waiting for the official opening, here is the aesthetics you can expect inside.
