A VILLA, THAT WRITES HISTORY

A VILLA, THAT WRITES HISTORY

Eras come and go. The Feszl Villa remains.

Every historic building is a mark of its era — and sometimes even more. The Feszl Villa has undoubtedly been an active shaper of Rózsadomb’s transformation and the environment that today is known as one of Budapest’s most prestigious districts.

A black background with white text that reads 'The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.'
Architectural blueprint and sketches of a pavilion or veranda with detailed front and side views, measurements, and decorative elements.

IN PLACE OF VINEYARDS: A NEW WORLD

Where wine once grew, living here is a privilege today.

In the second half of the 19th century, the slopes of Rózsadomb were covered with vineyards and orchards. The devastating phylloxera epidemic at the end of the 1870s forever changed the landscape: the carefully tended rows of vines soon disappeared from the hillsides, making way for the subtle outlines of urbanization. Thus, the quiet gardens of Rózsadomb became the new, elegant homes of the bourgeois lifestyle.

Black background with white text showing a series of words and abbreviations related to electrical and electronic systems.
A collage of architectural and technical drawings, including a balcony railing design and a close-up of a detailed plan with measurements and handwritten notes.

THE BEGINNINGS: THE FIRST VILLA

Modest, yet timeless – based on the designs of László Feszl

In the spring of 1886, Gyula Scherter and his wife, Hermina Máthé, envisioned a single-story family home on one of the first plots in Rózsadomb. The building’s designs were created by László Feszl — modest and proportionate, yet timeless in its lines, subtly reflecting the style of the era. Construction progressed quickly, and by July 1886 they had already applied for a habitation permit. A year later, based on plans by master carpenter József Nábauer, a wooden veranda was added to the northeast facade, lending the building a new character with its light and airy appearance.

Groundwater sample container with a yellow cap, filled with dark liquid, labeled EPA Purge. A blue and white hose with a valve is connected to the container.
Historical map and document featuring handwritten notes, a postage stamp, and a detailed sketch of land plots and roads.

FROM HOLIDAY HOME TO URBAN HOME

Civic elegance, with scale and soul

The 1890 expansion reflected not only changes in space but also shifts in lifestyle. The wooden porch, the stone facade, and the gradual Secessionist details — by the turn of the century, every element had become part of a carefully crafted home.

Black and white digital illustration of a human brain, with detailed lines representing the brain's folds and structure.
A collage of three images featuring architectural drawings, handwritten notes, and stamps.

CAPTURING TIME, HONORING VALUE

A new beginnings, rooted in timeless heritage

The villa’s most valuable elements — the 1886 veranda, the main building developed between 1890 and 1906, as well as the ornate wrought iron gate and stone fence evoking the atmosphere of the era — still preserve the original elegance of the building, while the interior transformations have been sensitively adapted to the needs of the contemporary bourgeois lifestyle.

A bar graph titled 'Remote vs In-Person' compares hours worked per week. The x-axis shows three categories: 'Remote,' 'Hybrid,' and 'In-Person.' The y-axis measures hours from 0 to 40. The 'Remote' bar reaches approximately 32 hours, the 'Hybrid' bar around 33 hours, and the 'In-Person' bar about 35 hours.
A collage of architectural and technical drawings, including house plans, elevation views, detailed design sketches, and handwritten notes on aged paper.

The character of a city is shaped not only by its maps, but also by its iconic buildings. The Feszl Villa is such a legacy — not merely a preserved gem from the past, but a creation that has influenced the future of an entire neighborhood.

Refined lines, period elegance — the imprint of an era from the drawing board of László Feszl

In the 1950s, Rózsadomb — then often referred to as the "Kádár slopes" — was lined with the residences of state and party leaders, hidden away from the public on large, wooded plots.

Close-up of a guitar string and fretboard with a person's hand pressing down on the strings.

THE FESZL VILLA’S PAST IS NOT JUST A MEMORY, BUT A VALUE - NOW, PROTECTED AS A HERITAGE SIDE, IT OFFERS A RARE CHANCE FOR PAST AND FUTURE TO CONVERGE

Black screen with white text displaying a quote and the authors' names, 'All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.' - Walt Disney, at the top, and 'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.' - Eleanor Roosevelt, at the bottom.