The Margeza Touch

Designer duo Margeza are renowned for creating works of wonder. It’s no surprise that they’ve renovated a rundown flat in Budapest into just that - WONDER.

- Priyanka Menon

The story of the Hungarian-Belgian designer duo, Margit and Geza, the couple behind Margeza Design Studio is quite unlike others. “Together we are 117 years old or have been young for that long,” they say. As part of their endeavour to experience new living, not only do they renovate and refurbish old spaces, but they live in these homes for a while before putting them up on the market.

Now how does it feel to give away something so precious and personal every time? “Because we know someone else will find happiness in it,” says the duo. Inspired by modern and contemporary art, they have pooled in their talents and eye for detail to breathe new life into apartments and spaces that may be used for domestic and temporary purposes. Such is the story of an old apartment in the heart of Budapest, which overlooks the river Danube.

The original structure was built in 1890 on Halász utca street, and has over the course of years, undergone restructuring and changes and is roughly 1,184 sq ft. In the mid 1900s, it was divided into four apartments. The attic was restored to add two more apartments and the building also boasts of a small and intimate garden.

One of the primary considerations while renovating this apartment was to maintain the same view of the Budapest city. While the apartment overlooks the river Danube, one also has an unparalleled view of one of the city’s most iconic buildings – the Hungarian Parliament. “It is visible even from the bath,” they remark. Personally, we think the view is most spectacular from the spacious brick balcony.