The last jewel to be added to the Hotel Oktogon is the plaque for the prize of the NIB

As we previously reported, one-fifth of the 2023 Construction Industry Quality Award prizes were awarded to projects carried out by Market Építő Zrt.. In accordance with industry tradition, the awards were presented at the annual ceremonial general meeting of ÉVOSZ (National Association of Construction Contractors) at its annual general meeting at the end of 2023, as the most important professional recognition in the construction industry. Lechner Ödön Awards, considered the most important professional recognition in the construction industry, along with numerous other important awards.

The design of the building at 52 Andrássy Avenue was originally commissioned by Henrik Haggenmacher from Henrik Schmahl, an architect of German origin who had settled in Hungary and who was also responsible for the design of the Paris Court. The plans for the conversion and transformation of the building into a hotel were drawn up by Archikon Építésziroda, while Market Építő Zrt. was responsible for the general construction. The ceremonial unveiling of the quality award plaque took place on Monday, 27 May at Hotel Oktogon Haggenmacher, where the investor, the designer, the construction companies and representatives of the Quality Award Evaluation Committee praised the project.

The Investor - Iván Hőnis Project Director, CD Hungary Zrt.

In 2018, a design competition was launched for the renovation of the old building, which was won by Archikon. The design started with 122 rooms, which eventually became 121 due to technical needs.

"In the same year, the interior architect was selected: Eszter Radnóczy and her team (ESTE'R PARTNERS Studio) won the tender, then in 2019 we signed a contract with Market Építő Zrt. and finally handed over the building in 2022", recalled the project director.

Not only the location in the city centre made the construction difficult, but also the COVID and the war, as well as the Euro-Forint exchange rate, had a significant impact on the construction - and the completed building should be seen in this light, as there were serious problems to solve to get the hotel open on time.

Iván Hőnis singled out two young colleagues who will certainly have a big role to play in shaping the buildings that surround us in the future. One was László Lőw, who participated in the monument renovation project as a senior pre-construction engineer for Market Építő Zrt., while special praise was given to architect Diána Chvalla, a member of Archikon, who proved to be one of the most prepared and effective communicators in all the discussions.

"In one case, I told Diana that when we got the prize, she could take it. This is the moment when I want to keep my promise," said Iván Hőnis in his speech.

The Designer - Károly Pólus, Senior Designer of Archikon Architect Studio

The palace at 52 Andrássy was designed by Henrik Schmahl in 1886 at the age of 37, and it was the first building in his career to receive serious professional attention. He designed the Uránia Film Theatre 10 years later, and the Paris Court in 1912, which he unfortunately did not live to see completed.

"The Hotel Oktogon is not our first collaboration with the Market, as we have been working together for almost five years on the renovation of the Court of Paris. In addition, the same team - CD Hungary, Market, Este’r Partners and Archikon - have also worked together on a hotel. The Hotel Moments was also a great success, and I believe that these and the experience of the operator Continental Group contributed to the award," said Károly Pólus in his speech.

The renovation followed the recipe of the renovation of the aisled apartment buildings of the capital: the central space of the building, the lobby, was created by covering the courtyard with glass, and the circulation system was built around it. The neo-Renaissance palace's dense façade grid and window distribution favoured the hotel rooms. The breakfast room was located behind the lobby; the wellness area was in the basement and the mechanical rooms were located in the basement and roof areas. As he added:

"I have to highlight the building's imposing stone façade, which was missing the six stone sculptures, the reconstruction of which restored the period and patina of one of the most outstanding palace buildings on Andrassy Avenue. I wish all participants many more such beautiful works!"

The Contractor - Sándor Bajnok, Technical Director of Market Építő Zrt.

"I can say without modesty that back when Market won this job, my first thought was: here's our next award-winning project. I was right. Don't change a winning team! - and we were able to work with the same partners on the project in about 80% as we had on Hotel Moments 10 years earlier - including the subcontractors," Sándor Bajnok emphasised.

But the road to professional recognition was not so easy, with many obstacles to overcome. This project had to be carried out entirely under COVID, which made some of the cooperation difficult, but also led to skyrocketing material prices.

"An important part of the construction was that we had to demolish not only the roof and the upper slab, but also the four corners of the building down to the basement, while all the other structures were left intact. Until the new structures here were in place, we could not start on other parts of the work. It was a real challenge," says the technical director, who has experience of rebuilding ten previous hotels.

Sándor Bajnok praised the subcontractors of the Market, of which the staff finally voted by consensus to recognise three contractor partners - two of whom had already worked with the Market on the Hotel Moments, an important benchmark. As highlighted:

"We achieved this result together and it was a real team effort, just like the construction of the other hotel on Andrássy Road."

Three diplomas, joint recognition

At the end of the event, Lajos Frey, on behalf of the Award Committee, pointed out that this award is given by the profession to the profession. The Construction Industry Award of Excellence was founded by professional associations, led by ÉVOSZ and the ÉTE (Construction Science Association), and joined by nine other associations whose delegates award the award. Of course, the committee rewards high construction quality, but it also takes into account cooperation with the construction industry, of which we have seen an excellent example here.

"This hotel," summarized Lajos Frey, "is a worthy representative of the preservation and representation of the built heritage, and thus deserves the Construction Industry Award of Excellence."

Zoltán Virág, Associate Professor at BME, member of the Award Jury, said that when this building was first built, it was the jewel of Budapest, but over time it has lost its shine. Now, finally, Market has been reborn in the hands of experts, but the merit was also shared, and the work of the general contractor partners was much needed. In recognition of this, the Construction Excellence Awards Committee presented subcontractor awards to Ács-Bádogos-Szigetelő Kft., Bakart Kft. and Stylos Építőipari Kft..