Situated near the Opera, Hajós utca 31 is an apartment house built in 1905, its architect remaining unknown. In the early 1910s, the pleasant aroma of coffee likely filled the building, emanating from a coffee shop owned by István Ambrus. On January 6, 1910, the National Israelite Patronage Association (Országos Izraelita Patronage Egyesület) was established, choosing this address as its headquarters. The association focused on caring for thousands of children and young people, working towards placing them in family homes. Additionally, it dedicated itself to supporting Jewish war orphans who had lost their fathers during World War I.

Tragedy struck on March 17, 1932, when the house’s caretaker, János Kopper, aged 67, lost his life in a fatal accident. While repairing a chimney on the two-story building’s roof, he became dizzy, slipped, and fell to his death onto the courtyard pavement. The challenges continued in 1932, as in April, a fire broke out in the tinworker and repair workshop located in the basement. Thankfully, the fire was contained and did not spread to the rest of the building.

Over the past century, the ground floor has housed several restaurants. In the mid-1920s, Antal Patz opened his restaurant here, quickly turning it into a popular gathering spot for various charitable organizations and associations of veterans. This restaurant played a crucial role in Antal Patz’s life, eventually enabling him to acquire a beautiful villa designed by István Zsolnay at Columbus utca 58.