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OUR STORY

Wagner House

The house was built in 1894 by János Wagner who was the founder of a prestigious architectural dynasty. The building, renowned for its eclectic style and impressive interior archways, was originally destined to serve as a town house for the architect’s extended family. János Wagner celebrated the 50th anniversary of his architectural career in the year the building was completed.

In the 1990s, the ground and first floors were taken over by the newly established Paloma Shopping Center which enjoyed several years of success as a popular shopping destination. However, the appearance of giant shopping malls around the millennium sealed the fate of downtown shopping centers; the stores in Paloma eventually moved or closed and the retail spaces of the slowly decaying building stood empty for over a decade.

Artist Courtyard

In May 2014, a group of young artists persuaded the V. District Municipality to support the establishment of a new cultural project in the abandoned bottom floors of the derelict building. Part of the agreement was the reconstruction of the dangerously rusty central staircase which is now regarded as the main ornament of the house. Still operating under the name PALOMA, the courtyard currently houses concept stores, showrooms and ateliers on the ground and first floors. The flats in the upper floors are private properties.

PALOMA Artist Courtyard is a shared showroom space which aims to promote Hungarian contemporary design and fine & craft arts, and it is home to the works of many up-and-coming fashion designers and craft artists. Paloma’s great essential, that you can meet the designers there in person! Come in our showrooms and meet them!