On June 6, 2016, the responsible
government of the capital prevented the demolition of the historic building of
the Radetzky barracks located in the 2nd district of Budapest, at Bemplatz.
Thus, the giant project of the real estate development company HB Reavis has
been failed. According to this real estate development company, instead of the
Radetzky building complex (which can also be seen as the starting point of the
revolution in 1956), they would have erected a seven-storey business building, under
the name "Bem Palace" - uncomfortable regarding both traffic and urban
development.
As it has turned out later, the
suspicion of the inhabitants of this residential area was confirmed. According
to this, as a result of an infringement procedure, on 6 May 2010 the legal
predecessor of the authority for monument protection and construction of the
government, The Middle Hungary Office of the State Office for Cultural Heritage
has issued permission for demolition and new construction.
The views of the monster "Bem Palace" - Let's hope that they forever
remain just plans...
According to the valid laws of that
time, the State Office for Cultural Heritage should have applied to the
preservation orders. Since at the time of application submission and at the
time of granting the building demolition permit the property Radetzky barracks was
under provisional monument protection.
The responsible building and monument
protection authority did not make its decision according to the law and disregarded
it respectively. Therefore, these drastic conversion plans have been made
possible.
In its judgment, the Court of First
Instance stated:
"The building and demolition
permit granted earlier does not comply with the objective of preservation of
historic monuments or the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the World
Cultural and Natural Heritage. This previously granted construction demolition
permit limits the execution of these targets to a significant extent. It is
therefore unlawful. "
As it turned out, the company HB
Reavis, which is looking for glory on the Budapest real estate market, does not
yet have the obligatory execution documentation, coordinated with the authority. Although they announced the start
of construction works during the validity period of construction permit in
September 2012. Consequently, on the basis of its notice, the company was not
entitled to legally start the demolition- and construction works.
The company is, by the way, in a
rather great loss of prestige with this action. Because they have boasted of
the project not only at an exclusive press conference at the beginning of the last
week (which means a week before 6 June 2016 - translator's note), about which
they did not inform the critical media. But they have also proudly reported to
several foreign media on their portfolio expansion in Budapest.
According to the official statement,
demolition has been stopped without notice.
The Radetzky barracks affected by
the proceedings have a first-class monument character. Due to its spiritual
importance and its exclusivity, the Radetzky barracks, a protected monument,
have a very important role in Hungary. Thereby, the judgment of the Court of
First Instance has stalled the demolition- and new construction works, with the
exception of restoration and conservation works.
Population, politicians and civil organizations prevent demolition
Thanks to the responsible official
decision, a very important historical building and cultural heritage of
Budapest was preserved. Of the political parties only the Jobbik party raised its
voice against the demolition of Radetzky barracks. The "Society of
Hungarian Patriots", who organized a signature collection and a
demonstration with inhabitants of the area on Thursday this week (June 9, 2016
- translator's note), has also protested against the demolition.
It seems that the social pressure
was enough for official circles in order to examine the previous position, and
enough for the sense and right of justice of the responsible people.
This attempt to disregard laws also
shows negative processes on the Hungarian real estate market.
The generally positive development
of real estate market in Hungary, with increased demand for attractive real
estates, such as office buildings and commercial real estate with yields of 6.5%
- 8%, also shows negative trends of non-compliance or the attempt to circumvent
the laws by project developers, and the associated real estate speculations.
In this context, investors and
property buyers are advised to turn to real estate brokers, which are already established
in Hungary (www.immotrading.at). As the
non-statutory brokerage activity can result in some negative surprises for the foreign
investors, such as missing mandates and brokerage contracts, and so on.
Source: http://alfahir.hu/gyozelem_leallitottak_a_radetzky_laktanya_bontasat (06. 06. 2016.)
Translator: Elena Garanina
Editorial editing: Robert Hauer
