Ever raised your head in Wesselényi street while strolling from one ruin bar to the other? It is really worth it, shoemaker's ghosts inhabit the area around this yellow red Art Nouveau wonder...The turn of the century saw a rapid expansion of the city’s population; the ten districts had altogether 750 thousand inhabitants. The 7th district featured as the most densely populated with its 176 thousand headcount. Trade guilds were set up in 1884, handling matters relating to apprentices and assistants, carrying out administration. Before 1945, 43 guilds were functioning in the city. Around the turn of the century, shoemakers felt inspired to have their previous building demolished, and a new one erected in its place. György Kopeczek was commissioned in 1904 to design a more imposing house.
Befitting the trend of the times, the facade acquired an Art Nouveau and a distinctly Hungarian shape. Although not meant to parade pomp as other public buildings, the windows of the salon, as well as internal doors boast glass are real masterpieces, all designs by Miksa Róth.
On the outside, mosaics with Hungarian motifs covered with clinker bricks, the sign, and the date of construction; at the level of the salon, on the first floor neogothic windows and ceiling plasterwork adorn the building. Inner facades look onto corridors flanked by wrought-iron railings.
The sizable structure accommodated the trade school and the sickness fund. Offices were to be found on the first and second floors; while spacious apartments filled the third and fourth floors. A Civilian Center opened in 2004, the community center was set up in 2005.
The spirit of the place might have invoked special shoe shops in the close vicinity. Number 19 is the home of the Shoe shop for Women with Small Feet, the last establishment selling handcrafted shoes for the petite padded. Established in 1921, the family-run business provides pieces between the sizes 31-35, for everyday use or special occasions. Reigning cobbler Lajos Pető became a master craftsman in 1969.
The same location houses another unique store; Siberia Shoe Shop. The designer, Anna Zaboeva has arrived from the distant Siberia, and with unparalleled imagination and energy set up her quickly popular label in a matter of a few years. Open from 10 am to 11 pm, the hotspot serves as a starting point for design aficionados on their way out into the trendier side of Budapest nightlife.
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