Ferencváros – The reborn district

Introduction

Ferencváros is the IX. district of Budapest, which is one of the most developing/renewing districts of the capital. It is located on the left bank of the Danube, south of the city center.

It is bounded by three elements of the radial-ring structure characteristic of the capital city: Vámház körút, Üllői út and Határ út. It is divided along these routes. The area between Kiskörút and Nagykörút is the Inner Ferencváros, from Nagykörút to the main east-west railway line, which also crosses the district in a ring direction, is the Middle Ferencváros, the part between the railway line and Határ út is the Outer Ferencváros, next to Üllői út there is the József Attila residential complex.

The purpose of this article is to provide a detailed overview of the district’s important advantages, opportunities and characteristics from a housing point of view.

A reborn environment

The district is mostly characterized by developments. Many new buildings and neighborhoods are constantly being built. This creates a livable, high-quality living environment.

In addition to the wonderful hundred-year-old apartment buildings, modern constructions appear, which add a new milieu to the cityscape. Along with the building improvements comes the development of the environment as well, which improves the quality of life. One of the characteristics of the district (specially the rehabilitation area) is the contiguous internal green surfaces, the condominiums surround large internal green courtyards, where playgrounds can also be found.

In the district, the different functions, such as living and working environments, are neatly demarcated, the Lechner Ödön fasor, which was built along the Danube, became like a workplace zone, with the construction of the office buildings. The Inner Ferencváros, in addition to its residential function, has retained its cultural role as pedestrian streets and parks.

Green areas in Ferencváros

• Haller Park: This is the largest park, in the district. It has a variety of recreational facilities, including ball fields, playgrounds, a sledding hill and boardwalks. The park is especially popular among families with children, the elderly and those who want to relax.
• Kerekerdő Park: The park in its current form was created in 2008, when a block of houses were demolished during the rehabilitation of the district and this park was established instead. It is a popular resting place for the locals.
• Nehru-Part: This is the park that has everything to be a cool place: good air, an amazing view of Gellért Hill, great transport. In addition, during a reconstruction in 2016, it received beautiful colorful seating, a playground, a buffet, washrooms, sports courts, a fitness park, and a bike and skateboard track.
• Markusovszky tér: The square with an unusual shape was formed after the demolition of the buildings of the Ferencváros Tobacco Factory, and on the site of the buildings that fell into ruins during the Second World War. Green area with playground and benches.
• Gizella Promenade: A particularly beautiful promenade along the Danube with benches, trees and a grassy area from the Petőfi Bridge to the Rákóczi Bridge.

Transport connections

Ferencváros has excellent road and public transport connections, it is connected to the Buda side of the capital by 2 bridges (Rákóczi bridge, Petőfi bridge).

Two metro lines run through the district, metro lines 3 and 4 (stops: metro 3: Határ út- Pöttyös utca-Ecseri út- Népliget – Nagyvárad tér – Semmelweis Klinikák – Corvin quarter – Kálvin tér, metro4: Fővám tér – Kálvin tér)

Tram 4-6 passes through the district, which is the busiest tram network in the capital. Népliget is one of the largest intercity and long-distance bus stations, located in the district, from where you can reach the various districts of Budapest by metro and tram network.

Also, let’s not forget the under development Népliget railway station, which as part of the Southern Ring Road could soon become an important hub for rail traffic. The main function of the railway station to be established at the corner of Népliget will be to enable passengers of suburban trains coming from the direction of Tatabánya, Székesfehérvár or Gyömrő, Pécel to reach the M3 metro at the Ecseri út station or the Volánbusz station in Népliget, or to open a direct connection from the Népliget area to trains to suburban destinations or, in the future, even by train to Liszt Ferenc International Airport.

Just as in the entire Capital City, the bicycle path network in Ferencváros is also getting better and better, it is enough to mention only the Nagykörút and some parts of Üllői út.

Education in IX. district

In Ferencváros, you can find several higher education institutions in addition to numerous primary schools, secondary schools and high schools. Among others, the buildings of ELTE, Semmelweis University and Corvinus University, as well as several faculties of the Ferenc Liszt University of Music and the Károli Gáspár Reformed University are also located in the district.

Culture

Due to the pro-culture and education policy of the district, it plays an increasingly important role in the realization of the capital’s cultural and knowledge center goals – old and new university buildings, cultural institutions – MÜPA, National Theater – and the series of events.

Ráday utca has also become a defining cultural and meeting place for the youth of the surrounding large universities. Its touristic potential is also increasing with hotel developments and spatial planning related to the 4 subway. The renovation of Csarnok tér behind the Vásárcsarnok and the CET built on the banks of the Danube would further increase the cultural and touristic significance. With the renovation of Mátyás and Erkel streets, the Vásárcsarnok and the Danube bank will be connected to Ráday street.

Sports, entertainment

Ferencváros, as it is already in the name of the district, is also the home of the most popular sports association in our country, just think of the multi-functional sports facility, the home of the football team, the Groupama Arena, handed over in 2014. But just a stone’s throw away from here, in Népliget, there are also several departments.

Also in the district, there is the Budapest Park, an open-air concert venue that is extremely popular among young people and is open from spring to autumn, where the general public can listen to numerous concerts every week.

We have collected Ferencváros recreation opportunities and attractions:

• MÜPA
• Museum of Applied Arts
• National Theatre
• Holocaust Memorial Center
• Unicum house
• Ludwig Museum
• Whale
• Brigade Spa
• Great Market Hall
• Groupama Arena
• Bakáts square

Why should you choose Ferencváros?

Budapest IX. district is an ideal choice for housing, as it is close to the city center, has rich cultural and entertainment opportunities, boasts green areas and a modern environment, as well as a youthful and dynamic community.

Summary

Ferencváros can be a great choice for university students and even for young families. Everyone can find their solution, whether they want to move into a newly built apartment or a classic apartment building.

If you are interested in the current real estate offer in the district, or if you have a property for rent, feel free to contact us at one of our contacts.

Opening image: Groupama Aréna (source: groupamaarena.com)