Kiss Katalin: Industrial Monuments - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1993)
organic city view, as is attested by old engravings. This pleasing architecture with its calm rhythm owed its existence to the City Embellishment Committee which supervised the plans of József Hild. Hild thus had to take into account not only the technological requirements of the new factory, but also its existing architectural surroundings. In the neighbourhood of the “Neugebäude”, between the private and public mansions of the ambitious bourgeoisie of the Lipótváros district and of the inner city, this appearance made it possible for the building to survive, since many famous city centre factories have been demolished because of their modest look. A FORMER ELECTRIC SUBSTATION IN THE COURTYARD of the Town Hall V, Városház utca 9- 7 7 This building was hardly known until recent times. However, it always stood out with its peculiar shape and arched gable among the garages, temporary and service buildings crammed together in the courtyard of the Town Hall. The pleasing proportions of the plaster and brick strips on its facades can barely be evaluated because of the instrusive effect of the neighbouring buildings. Besides the usual details of industrial architecture, the Art Nouveau can also be observed. The round-arched upper part of the windows fit very graciously on the upper ribs. These window ribs open in the shape of rays, forming a small, round arch. The line of the gable arch does not follow exactly the shape of the vaulted roof. This former electric substation was designed by the architect Virgil Bierbauer (Borbíró), who became famous because of his industrial buildings planned for the Budapest Electric Works. Fortunately, some photos of the station’s interior have survived, and the fine details can be observed. The candelabras of the engine house were perhaps the most beautiful attraction. The building functioned until 1989 as a cultural, sport and recreation centre for the Town Hall. In 1990 the Merlin Theatre Company settled here. The rooms of the former electric substation are now animated by 31
