K&H: where past and future meet: K&H’s octagonal branch has been renovated

A historical site in a new role

The Oktogon, built in the 1880s, is one of the most characteristic spaces in Budapest: its symmetry, the intersection of the underground and trams 4 and 6, and the iconic axis of Andrássy Avenue give it a special urban structure. The current branch was once home to one of the most famous coffee houses of the Monarchy, the Abbázia, which was a popular meeting point for literary and artistic life.

The ground floor of the building has been constantly changing throughout history. The café, with its expansion, eventually took over the space used for the residents’ movement, so a new staircase had to be designed for them. The ground floor of the building has been transformed several times over the decades, from expansions to the restoration of war damage to the establishment of banking functions.

A facade that goes back to its roots

A central element of the renovation was the restoration of the original proportions of the facade. The ground floor arched openings and cornice decorations were re-appeared, and the stone elements were replaced with material from the same quarry as the original. The large glass surfaces meet the strictest safety standards and, based on their size, are among the most significant elements of their kind on the continent.

The designers paid attention to even the smallest details: the golden hue of the huge glass surfaces was inspired by the brass elements of the former café facade, so the bank’s logo is now both modern and subtle reference to the building’s past and history. However, the characteristic blue hue of K&H has not disappeared completely. The logo and the LED strip hidden around the windows provide blue lighting.

The location of the bank branch is also indicated by the railing next to the staircase leading to the room, which is octagonal in shape, as is the handle of the entrance door. The choice of color here naturally reflects the past of the Abbazia café.