A rushing mass of more than 200,000 people a day, a never-ending flurry of cars, buses, metro trains and trams. This is Blaha Lujza tér, a high-traffic zone both underground and on street level. However, this central square – named after Lujza Blaha, a Hungarian actress and singer popular in the early 1900s – has been slowly deteriorating in the past decades, leaving the space a gloomy hub for commuters passing the dilapidated scenes day and night.
Recently, several plans have been on the table to renovate the square, with no final deadline for completion. However, new announcements by Budapest officials confirm that Blaha Lujza tér will finally get an extensive makeover by the end of 2019. Current plans would eradicate the parking zone that would also affect the adjacent narrow road outside Corvin Department Store. This could be transformed into new parkland.
According to latest proposals, the infamously unappealing Blaha underpass will get a makeover, a major step anticipated by many traversing the subterranean walkway regularly. An additional zebra crossing would be established for multi-lane Rákóczi út, making Blaha Lujza tér accessible for people with limited mobility. Rehabilitation also calls for better traffic control around the neighborhood and new bicycle lanes could also be installed.
Earlier city reports confirm a major reconstruction of the Corvin Department Store, home to popular party place Corvin Club. Opened in 1926, this former landmark used to be one of the most elegant shopping destinations in Budapest, its ornate Classicist frontage a major feature. Then in 1967, the impressive statues and iconic columns adorning the outer walls were hidden behind a massive aluminium cast and the Corvin has been stuck behind it ever since. As part of the restoration works, this metal shell will be also removed. Plans should be finalized this year.
