A special moment in the restoration of the Ministry of Agriculture building

The only ministerial palace that still retains its original function

Regarding the development of the building housing the ministry, the minister recalled that it was one of the first large state administration buildings built during the dualism era. But it is also the only palace in Budapest built specifically for the ministry that has retained its original function and has been used continuously by the Ministry of Agriculture since its handover, which has now moved to another location only temporarily because of the construction work.

Underground garage also built

During the present project, the imposing building will not only be beautified thanks to a monumental restoration, but will also meet the requirements of the 21st century by the end of the project: among other things, it will be equipped with an underground garage under the Kozma Ferenc Street wing. The Bukovics neo-Renaissance façades will be restored to their original splendour, and the interiors, which serve nearly 1,000 employees, will be modernised in a way that respects the monumental value of the building.

The story of a century of transformations

As we have already pointed out, this is by no means the first time in its nearly century and a half history that the Palace of the Ministry of Agriculture has undergone a major transformation. According to the project description of the Imre Steindl Programme, because its uninspiring neo-Renaissance style was already too modest at the turn of the century compared to the grandeur of the buildings around it, and because of problems with the layout of the interior (it contained several windowless offices), a design competition was launched in 1906 to remedy the problems. However, Emil Tőry's Art Nouveau plans were not realised, with only one renovation - removing many of the ornaments and sculptural elements of the façade - and occasional changes to the floor plan.

Subsequently, attempts were made to add to the building: in the early 1920s, a two-storey extension was built on the rear wing on Kozma Ferenc Street, then between 1940 and 1943, with major interior alterations, almost the entire building was converted into a central corridor, and the remaining part of the attic was built in, but in the long run this did not satisfy the needs either.

After the Second World War, additional space was created in the building, which enjoys protected status as a historic monument, through further construction work. However, from today's perspective, the officially acquired historic character of the building was not always respected. Remedying this is one of the tasks of the current construction work.