Debrecen4U January 13, 2025

The 135-year-old building, also home to the Apollo Cinema, has been beautified

The building, which also defines the image of Debrecen’s downtown, was built in the 1890s and has been renovated and added to several times over the past 135 years. The last renovation was in 1997. 

CEO of the Cívis House PLC, Edit Erdei, said that the Hajdú Bihar County Government Office, as the heritage protection authority, approved the renovation works of the facade in August 2024, according to a statement of the Cívis House PLC.

The CEO pointed out that the building is under local protection; although it is not a monument, it is located in a monument environment. In terms of its function, it houses a cinema and business premises. Piac Street is a popular city area due to its location, frequency and atmosphere. Therefore, considering its importance to the cityscape, the staff of Cívis Ház PLC acted with particular sensitivity during the renovation work.

Edit Erdei highlighted that the building was converted into a motion picture theatre in 1912 by building on the western side of the Miklós Street plot boundary, and then the cinema was rebuilt again in 1939. Twenty-seven years ago, external and internal alterations were carried out by the plans of architect Attila Kőszeghy, and the facade was given the colouring that suited the cityscape, which also served as the basis for the current restoration. Thus, the reconstruction fully complies with the principles set out in the Debrecen County City Image Manual and the Local Building Regulations of the City of Debrecen.

Accordingly, the plaster defects on the main building facade were repaired, the entire surface was coloured, the facade windows and doors were painted, the building’s plaster ornamental elements were restored, the artificial stone surfaces were cleaned, the tin structure, the rainwater drainage system, and the cornice edges were reconstructed.

During the restoration, Cívis Ház PLC strived to ensure that the existing and new plaster have the same physical properties and composition to react to the effects of the environment in the same way and thus prevent their premature destruction. The announcement stated that the renovation of the facade elements of the building on Miklós Street is planned to be completed in 2025.

Regarding the renovation of the building, the Head of the Apollo Cinema, Tamás Fejér, told Dehir that he is happy that the building houses Apollo has been beautified. He looks forward to welcoming guests in a renewed environment in the new year.

Source and photo credit: dehir.hu