The iconic hotel building on the banks of the Danube in Budapest is returning with a new look

Since November 2023 a comprehensive refurbishment has been underway at the former Sofitel Hotel building, which dominates the skyline of the Danube embankment in the capital. Opened in 1982, the hotel operated under the name Hotel Atrium Hyatt until 1989; its current owner has reimagined the building as a luxury hotel operating under a new brand name, one that reflects the spirit of the times and is accentuated by striking graphic elements.

During the redevelopment, the former nine-storey, 357-room hotel was almost completely stripped back to its structural framework. However, the concept involves preserving the building’s distinctive basic layout: the sculptural massing, the proportions, the unique atrium-style interior – which, at the time of construction, evoked the world of American Hyatt hotels – as well as the lift tower standing in the atrium.

A new feature, however, is that, in keeping with current trends, the tenth floor – which was previously an open-air terrace – will now house a skybar that also functions as a restaurant, offering a magnificent panoramic view.

The renovation plans were drawn up by New York-based Asymptote Architecture, in collaboration with the Front façade design studio and Bánáti + Hartvig Építész Iroda. For the construction, SWIETELSKY Magyarország Kft. is working as the main contractor alongside the Italian firm PICHLER Projects Srl., which is responsible for the construction of the main façade.

Roof insulation, façade cladding and interior rooms: work is progressing on several fronts

In March 2026, the SWIETELSKY project team provided an update on the current status of the works. In addition to the final demolition work, the company is responsible for the complete refurbishment of the structural, architectural, mechanical and electrical systems, as well as the interior fit-out work.

Significant progress has been made on site over the past year or so. Roof insulation is approximately 90 per cent complete, whilst cladding work on the annex façades is currently underway. Mechanical and electrical installation work is proceeding in parallel within the building, and a significant proportion of the plant rooms and distribution boards have already been installed.

Work on the guest rooms is also at an advanced stage: in addition to the specialist and basic installation work, tiling and finishing work is already underway in the 192 standard rooms, and the laying of carpets and the fitting of fixtures and fittings will begin shortly.

The building's technical systems are undergoing a major overhaul

One of the largest-scale tasks of the project is the complete modernisation of the facility’s mechanical and electrical systems. According to the experts, the building’s technical infrastructure will be significantly upgraded: some systems will be expanded, others will be fitted with state-of-the-art components, whilst several pieces of equipment will be installed from scratch to meet today’s energy and operational requirements.

Construction is at varying stages of completion across different areas. Some machine rooms and electrical switch rooms are already 70–80 per cent complete, whilst work at other sites began later. The equipment providing heating and cooling energy has already been installed, around half of the electrical distribution boards have been fitted, and the networks are being rolled out continuously.

Two pressurised stairwells have also been completed at the site for the new casino, which is due to open shortly, and these are already in operation.

Pavilion (i.e. conservatory) construction and city centre logistics: the challenges of the build

One of the most complex tasks of the construction project is the creation of a new conservatory attached to the building, which will be built on the side facing Széchenyi Square and will house a restaurant. Due to the advanced stage of construction, the installation of the ventilation systems in the new section of the building required a particularly complex design and modelling process involving the designers and specialist contractors.

The project is also complicated by the logistical challenges posed by the city centre location: due to the limited size of the site, material deliveries must be organised according to a schedule broken down almost to the hour.

A particular challenge is that the casino operating in part of the building remains open 24 hours a day even during the construction work. For this reason, for example, any power cuts must always be agreed in advance, and certain mechanical systems also had to be kept in operation.

In order to ensure the continued operation of the old casino and to enable demolition and construction work on the façade to proceed without disrupting operations, a temporary wall capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions was erected inside the casino, barely one and a half metres from the active gaming area,