Allee

November in Budapest. A chilly wind whips around the modern facade of Allee Shopping Center. Can you imagine this bustling hub was once the site of the Skála Budapest Grand Department Store and its sprawling parking lot? Allee, opened on November 11, 2009, at precisely 11:11 a.m., rose from the ashes of its predecessor. This wasn’t just a simple replacement. The developers, ING Real Estate Development, envisioned a multi-functional complex. Allee boasts over 46,000 square meters of retail space. It also houses 6,100 square meters of “A” category office space and a residential complex. This residential complex, Simplon Udvar, comprises eighty-nine apartments. The entire project cost a staggering 200 million euros. By early 2010, the Allianz Group acquired 50% ownership of Allee. This sale valued the complex at 100 million euros. At its grand opening, nearly 140 shops within Allee had secured tenants. Several international fashion brands made their Hungarian debut here. Alongside restaurants and cafes, Allee houses a thirteen-screen Cinema City multiplex, a fitness center, and several public service offices. The transformation extended beyond Allee’s walls. The adjacent Kőrössy J. Street became a pedestrian-friendly zone with a small park and playground. A ramp was built between the Fehérvári Street Market Hall and the specialist clinic for vendors. Building facades along Váci Street and Bercsényi Street were renovated. An underground tunnel was constructed beneath Bercsényi Street, connecting directly to Allee’s underground parking. This clever design reduced surface traffic and created a larger pedestrian area. The total area affected by these changes, including Allee’s construction, spanned approximately 3,000 hectares. Allee offers convenient access by both car and public transport. Drivers can utilize the 1,200-space underground parking garage. The M4 metro line stops at both Móricz Zsigmond Square and Újbuda-központ stations, providing easy access. Trams 4 and 6 stop within a few minutes’ walk from Allee, with tram 4 conveniently terminating at Allee’s south end. Numerous other tram and bus lines connect to Allee via the nearby Móricz Zsigmond Square and Újbuda-központ transportation hubs. Allee quickly became a popular destination. However, just days after its grand opening, a shadow fell over the new shopping center. On November 15th and 16th, 2009, a mass carbon monoxide poisoning incident occurred in the basement grocery store. Seventeen people, mostly store employees, fell ill. A faulty ventilation system and a poorly sealed zsilipajtő (a type of airlock) between the parking garage and the store allowed carbon monoxide to seep in. The incident forced the evacuation of Allee, causing significant traffic congestion in the surrounding area. Five more people fell ill the following day. Though authorities claimed the two incidents were unrelated, an investigation was launched. Five days later, on November 21st, Allee faced another setback. A bomb threat led to yet another evacuation. Despite these early challenges, Allee has thrived. It remains a prominent shopping and entertainment destination in Budapest.