The aristocratic mansion in Erdőtelek is set to undergo a refurbishment befitting its world-famous arboretum

An ancient castle in the Copf style towers over Erdőtelek: this 18th-century, single-storey building with a rectangular floor plan and a hipped roof features a central projection on its western façade, with a carriage entrance and a tower-like structure topped by a mansard roof on the ground floor. To the south of the carriage entrance, a slightly projecting risalit frames the building; the ground-floor hall features Neo-Gothic decoration, whilst the adjoining room boasts Rococo decorative painting.

The core of today’s castle was built by Count János Lajos Butler; it consists of a building dating from 1715, which was extended northwards between 1783 and 1794, and then remodelled at the end of the 19th century. Its former gardens are now an arboretum. With this completely unused building, the local council aims to make the town more attractive by creating a new tourist attraction and raising it to the standard of the world-famous arboretum.

A key objective of the renovation is to preserve the existing heritage and showcase it through cultural, gastronomic and experiential offerings, whilst expanding the range of services available.

The work of restorers will also be required

The castle is currently in a state of serious disrepair, but there are plans to hold permanent and temporary exhibitions in its rooms, alongside independent programmes and annual events.

As revealed in the latest public procurement notice: In response to the call for tenders issued by the local council of Erdőtelek, Fenstherm Kontakt Kft. submitted the best bid, so they have been tasked with carrying out a complete renovation of the historic building, which has a usable floor area of 953.4 m², using a budget of 1.1 billion forints. As part of this, the contractor will be required to carry out the following works, amongst others:

• building services engineering works
• Demolition of partition walls: 330 m²
• Dismantling of roof boarding: 150 m²
• Dismantling of floor structure, bolted beam floor structure: 102 m²
• Building electrical works: design and installation of high- and low-voltage systems
• design of a heating and cooling system
• air conditioning, ventilation design
• Replacement and refurbishment of doors and windows; reproduction of façade doors and windows. Refurbishment of the remaining interior doors and windows; manufacture of new units based on existing designs.

• painting and restoration work: 646 m²
• Retrofit wall insulation work using injection: 197 m²
• Installation of three gas-fired absorption heat pumps, each with a heating capacity of 37.8 kW.

The successful tenderer is also responsible for preparing the technical documentation for the stone and paint restoration of the listed building, obtaining the necessary official permits, and carrying out the restoration and expert work specified in the heritage protection permit.