The construction of the Budapest Athletics Stadium has started. The project includes the rehabilitation of the VITUKI industrial site and the Danube-bank nearby resulting in a new, open sports and recreation park for Budapest, –  announced the company responsible for the project to the MTI on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the tower of the VITUKI Environmental and Water Management Research Center will be demolished on 10 December to make way for the construction of the National Athletics Stadium for the 2023 World Athletics Championships.

Explosive demolition will be used to destroy the VITUKI tower block (Photo: Google maps)

Visual of the Budapest National Athletics Stadium – the tower block to the left of the stadium is being destroyed
(Source: KKBK Kiemelt Kormányzati Beruházások Központja Nonprofit Zrt.)

New flood defences, promenades along the riverbank, cycle paths and boat stations will be built in the area from Rákóczi Bridge to the Kvassay Lock and across a new cable bridge in North Csepel. The development will also realise a continuous connection of the Pest embankment for those on foot, bike and on the water all the way to Csepel Island.

The announcement emphasised that the changes made to the development area would clean up the cityscape along the panoramic Danube bank. The high-rise office and residential blocks or industrial functions highlighted in previous plans will not be realised, and low-standing sports and recreation facilities will open up the riverbank. One of the main goals of the project is to connect the development of the area with its natural values more organically.

The statement highlights that the condition of the VITUKI tower building, built in 1976, was also assessed, during the planning phase. The feasibility study examined the structure, its stability and possible future functions. The study found that the tower, designed by István Mühlbacher (Iparterv), could no longer be used in its current state, and recommended its demolition for technical and economic reasons.

 The winning construction consortium that won the public procurement tender chose to use explosive demolition, resulting in significant time savings. During the demolition, the tower building will fall towards Rákóczi Bridge, along its longer side. The side building of the complex will be torn down with traditional methods.

Source: MTI

Cover photo: Visual of the Budapest Athletics Center (Source: KKBK Kiemelt Kormányzati Beruházások Központja Nonprofit Zrt.)