Our group’s subsidiary, HUNÉP Zrt., completed the full renovation of the theatre in 2023. The historical building was recognized by the Board of Trustees of the Construction Master Award Foundation. By 2024, a total of 241 buildings nationwide have earned this prestigious recognition. The award was established in 1994 by the National Association of Construction Contractors and the Association of Building Science.
“Our intention was to transform the building in such a way that anyone entering would feel the same atmosphere characteristic of a heritage opera house,” explained architect Péter Kovács.
The architects involved in the project stated that the theatre is like a small city, with many residents, and therefore had to be complemented with elements that are livable and practical for everyone. They added that for the audience, the theatre often only includes the stage area, but behind it, there is much more that contributes to the operation of the whole building.
“People don’t realize that behind it, there is almost as large, or maybe even larger, space system that serves the entire building. The most important element of the Debrecen theatre is the new revolving stage, which has been introduced as a completely new technical feature that the theatre previously lacked,” pointed out architect András Tisza.
The Board of Trustees of the Construction Master Award Foundation honored the iconic Debrecen building in the category of Monument Restoration and Building Rehabilitation. The quality and professionalism of the construction, as well as the operability of the investment and the cooperation of the creators, were also considered in the decision.
“At the first moment when we took over the worksite, I was fortunate to be here. I believe that everyone was influenced by the spirit of the place, those walls that revealed 160 years of history to us,” said Miklós Bakos, CEO of HUNÉP Zrt.
Deputy Mayor István Puskás stated that special attention is paid to the renewal of locally protected buildings. The city council decided last April to launch a tender under the Built Heritage Renovation Program, which supports residential communities and housing cooperatives with a budget of 200 million forints.
The city currently has 305 locally protected buildings and 130 listed heritage buildings, with two buildings having received the grant.
The historic building of the Csokonai National Theatre is not the first Debrecen facility to earn this prestigious award. Among the other recipients in recent years are the Aquaticum Strandfürdő, the International School, and the Nagyerdei Stadium.
