I took these photos at Dohány utca 22, an Art Nouveau building known as the “Árkád Bazár,” once home to the Késmárky and Illés toy store. In prewar Budapest, children dreamed of shopping here, as the first floors housed the city’s largest toy store, while apartments occupied the top floors.

Designed by brothers László and József Vágó in 1908-1909 (interestingly, József Vágó was one of the five architects who designed the Palace of Nations in Geneva), the Árkád Bazár closed in 1924. It was later replaced by a car dealership until 1946. In the 1960s, the Metró Klub, a popular club for rock and roll enthusiasts, occupied the space.

Upon my first visit, the main staircase was in poor condition; however, it was repainted last year, indicating that Dohány utca 22 is undergoing gradual renovation.