Gresham Palace

The Gresham Palace in Budapest, located on the Pest side of the Danube, represents one of the finest examples of Art Nouveau architecture in Central Europe. Its construction was completed in 1906, designed by Hungarian architects Zsigmond Quittner and József Vágó, winners of a competition organized by the Gresham Life Assurance Company of London. The building is named after Sir Thomas Gresham, the famous English financier who founded the Royal Exchange in London in the 16th century. Originally conceived as an office and apartment building, the Gresham Palace was a symbol of opulence and modernity, equipped with advanced technologies for the time such as central heating and a centralized dust extraction system. The apartments in the palace were reserved for the wealthiest members of society, while the ground floor housed exclusive boutiques and a café. The architecture of the palace is characterized by fluid lines and natural motifs typical of the Art Nouveau style. The facade is adorned with reliefs created by Géza Maróti, stained glass windows and mosaics by Miksa Róth, as well as elaborate glazed ceramics produced by the renowned Zsolnay factory in Pécs. Inside, intricate wrought iron works by Gyula Jungfer can be admired, including the famous peacock motif gates decorating the main entrance. During World War II, the palace suffered severe damage due to bombings. In the post-war period, it was nationalized by the Hungarian communist government, which divided the luxurious apartments into smaller units and used the building for state offices. This period marked the beginning of the palace’s decline, falling into a state of disrepair. The turning point came in the 1990s, when the palace was purchased by the Irish company Quinlan Private, which funded an extensive restoration project. The renovation, which lasted five years and cost over 100 million dollars, restored the palace to its original splendor, with meticulous attention to historical and architectural details. In 2004, the palace reopened as the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, a luxurious five-star hotel offering 179 rooms, including the presidential suite with views of the Chain Bridge and Buda Castle. The restoration preserved and replicated many of the original features of the palace, such as the blue glass ceiling, mosaic floors, and wrought iron gates. Guests can enjoy modern comforts combined with historical elegance, with facilities including an indoor infinity pool, a fitness center, and a refined restaurant, Kollázs, offering a fusion of European culinary influences.