From Széchenyi's heritage to AI: a new iconic hotel opens at the foot of the Chain Bridge

On 15 September 2025, the Market Építő Zrt. was officially handed over. The building was constructed at the iconic location of the Buda embankment, in the immediate vicinity of the Chain Bridge.

The special feature of the project is that it evokes both the architectural traditions of the past and the world of contemporary interior design, while also emphasising the role of AI-inspired art.

The site has a special history: at the end of the 19th century, the stables of Count Béla Széchenyi's palace stood here, the only element of the Lánchíd Street palace row to survive the Second World War. The aim of the development was not only to create a new hotel, but also to create an urban space that would reflect both the historical significance of the place and the needs of today's guests.

Space efficiency and quality use of materials

The building was constructed on eight levels, with a basement, ground floor, seven floors and an engineering attic. The total area of 2260 m² was achieved on a plot of only 531 m², with a monolithic reinforced concrete supporting structure providing a stable foundation. This solution allowed for a flexible organisation of space and the free development of the interior design concept.

The hotel's most distinctive visual elements are the works of Hungarian AI artist Dávid Szauder, who also created the floor carpet patterns and wallpapers. The AI-inspired images evoke the architectural details and historical layers of the Buda district in a dreamlike, contemporary artistic language. These installations are not just decorative elements, but an integral part of the experience of space.

Rooms, conference room and urban community space

Leon Hotel & Lounge offers a total of 48 rooms, located between the second and seventh floors. The main attraction of the rooms is the panoramic view of the hillside, Buda Castle or the Danube. The top floor studios are connected to private terraces, from where you can enjoy an unrivalled view of the city.

A naturally lit meeting and conference room on the first floor of the hotel provides a relaxed environment for business meetings and private events. The 40-seat Leon Conference Room has the unique feature of being directly connected to the quiet inner garden at the bottom of the Buda City Valley. The Leon Café on the ground floor serves as a café and brunch place during the day and a bar in the evening, while the Leon Osteria, a few steps away from the hotel, offers classic dishes with an authentic Italian flair.