On the afternoon of February 21, 2024, I visited Munkácsy Mihály utca 23 to capture some photos of the beautiful entrance of this Art Nouveau house. As soon as I set up my tripod and camera, a very kind man approached and invited me to take a look inside the house. It’s a building I’ve wanted to visit for a long time, not only because of its beauty but also as a noteworthy example of a grassroots renovation project initiated by enthusiastic residents.

Designed by Albert Kálmán Kőrössy, this house was constructed in 1904 for Imre Sonnenberg, a wealthy merchant. The house successfully weathered the challenges of war, a 1946 fire that damaged its roof, and the tumultuous events of 1956. In 1944, Munkácsy Mihály utca 23 became a “yellow-star house“, a compulsory residence for Jews. However, despite these adversities, most of its ornate details fell victim to “renovation works,” presumably due to authorities deeming the facade too ostentatious. In 1957, the renowned Miksa Róth’s stained glass windows met a tragic fate as they were shattered with a hammer. The facade’s decorations were demolished, the roof dismantled, and a third floor was added.

Nevertheless, despite these tragic alterations, the house has recently begun its resurrection. A few years ago, a retired couple, Margit Szinger and Géza Hámori, moved into one of the apartments. Enthralled by the architecture and history of the house, they founded the “Sonnenberg House Foundation” in 2021. The Hungarian Museum of Architecture supported the initiative and provided documentation and a conservation plan for the house. Fortunately, the plans for the stained glass windows were discovered, and in 2022, Judit Füri reconstructed them.

You can contribute to the renovation of the house by making a donation to the Foundation. I highly encourage you to do so because we need more projects like this in Budapest. Their bank account number is on Facebook page of the Foundation.