Development details
From concrete and parking to a livable urban environment
Present condition
The K17 project site is a neglected plot that previously served industrial purposes, where a tire service once operated. Currently, the infill site functions as a gravelled surface parking lot with approximately 200 spaces and no usable green area. The surroundings of Móricz Zsigmond Square and Karinthy Frigyes Road form an active, urban environment, where the parking function represents a temporary and urbanistically unjustified condition. Moreover, due to the traffic and environmental impacts it generates, its presence is particularly problematic.
Development objective
The aim of the K17 project is to rehabilitate a site that currently provides no meaningful added value to the district: to create a safe, green urban environment accessible to local residents through the redevelopment of this inner-city infill plot.
As a result of the 311-apartment residential building, the urban rehabilitation project will create 5,100 sq m of new green space. In addition, a 1,500 sq m landscaped promenade featuring gardens and services will be developed, that upon completion, will represent the first realized phase of the pedestrian connection between Karinthy Frigyes Road and October 23 Street.
Benefits for the Neighborhood
- With the development, the green area will increase from 0 to 5,100 sq m, of which 1,537 sq m will have full soil connection: meaning larger canopy trees can also be planted here.
- This expansion means a green area ratio of 28 percent instead of the required 20 percent.
- The green area created on the site of the disappearing inner-city infill plot will be roughly half the size of Feneketlen Lake, which will have a beneficial effect on the local microclimate.
- An offer has also been made to plant pre-grown trees in the neighbouring gardens.
- The rain gardens created in the project retain and naturally absorb rainwater on site, thereby relieving the sewer system, improving the microclimate and sustainably increasing the green value of the area.
- Part of the green area exceeding the requirements by 40 percent is an approximately 1,500 sq m landscaped urban promenade.
- The Vak Bottyán promenade will be freely accessible for public use during the day, but closed at night – similarly to other public parks – in order to preserve its condition and ensure the safety of residents.
- The new promenade conceptually fits into the district’s long-term development strategy: it will be the first phase of the pedestrian connection between Karinthy Frigyes Road and Október huszonharmadika Street.
- Based on the agreement between LIVING and the municipality, residents of the K17 project will not receive public parking rights even for a fee, in order to ensure that the parking opportunities of existing residents do not deteriorate.
- Since the development’s target group is typically young urban residents such as tenants and university students, they are expected to make greater use of the area’s excellent public transport connections. Private car usage is less typical in this group.
- Based on this and considering modern urban planning principles, LIVING had a reduced parking ratio (0.84 cars per apartment) approved by OÉT.
- In addition to the approximately 1,500 sq m landscaped promenade, the K17 project will offer further quality services for residents of the neighbourhood.
- Beyond the green areas, the developer will create additional community values: alongside the community garden, a café with a terrace, a community room regularly usable by local residents, as well as a playground and a pétanque court along the promenade.
- According to LIVING’s plans, a public artwork will also be installed in the area.
- The developer has also committed to renovating the façade of a neighbouring building, restoring a fire wall in need of renovation, and improving neighbouring gardens.
- As a residential developer, LIVING has significant experience in the revitalisation of brownfield sites; previous projects – including the Kassák Project in District XIII – were realised in close cooperation with local municipalities.
- The architectural plans prepared by TIBA Studio take into account the professional recommendations of both district and national architectural review boards.
- In the interest of local residents, the developer deliberately adopted a restrained approach: the development volume is 15 percent lower than the maximum permitted by the district building regulations (KÉSZ) in force since 2017.
- With its articulated massing, high-quality green façades and urban character fitting the surroundings, the K17 project continues the architectural traditions typical of Karinthy Frigyes Road.
- In connection with the K17 project, LIVING has made a commitment towards the municipality worth HUF 250 million.
- This commitment appears within contractual frameworks, recorded in the settlement planning agreement (TRSZ).
- In addition to the agreement with the municipality, LIVING has made further commitments
specifically serving the interests of local residents:
- direct financial support for the renovation of neighbouring residential buildings and garden,
- support for the Bercsényi Dormitory and its students by providing modern energy-efficient equipment and professional opportunities.
Karinthy17 is located in Budapest’s District 11, on Karinthy Frigyes Road, in the immediate vicinity of Móricz Zsigmond Square, along one of Újbuda’s key urban corridors.