VII. Erzsébet körút 9-11
Well the building speaks for itself: one of my favourite one in Budapest. The New York Palace is situated very close to Blaha Lujza square and after the change of regime is was purchased by the Boscolo hotel chain (2001) and turned into a luxury hotel.
The New York Palace is one of the most characteristic and impressive building on the Grand Boulevard. The building was built by Alajos Hauszmann at the end of the 19th century. The erection has also a historical significance: the New York Café on the ground floor was a meeting point of several literary and artistic societies.
After the renovation of the café many people thought that the café could regain its former splendour but unfortunately the new place could not fulfill the expectations. The renovation went very well: for the reconstruction it was awarded with Europa Nostra. The interior is absolutely authentic and marvellous, often there is live music with a pianist but we cannot feel the atmosphere of old times: mostly tourists are sitting inside. Looking at the prices the reason is quite understandable. The majority of the Hungarians is not willing to pay more than 5 Euros for a cappuccino. Or simply cannot afford it.
