Óbuda Gas Works

The first gas works started operation in Budapest on the Pest side on 23 December 1856. Due to the ever increasing household gas consumption of Budapest, building a modern, high-capacity gas works became necessary by the turn of the twentieth century.

For the location of the gas works an estate in Óbuda was selected, as it had road, rail and waterway connection. Following an international tender in 1908, Albert Weiss (owner of the gas works in Zürich) was mandated to develop the plans of the Óbuda Gas Works. His work was supported by Izidor Bernauer director and Győző Schön engineer.

Construction works started in 1910 and by October 2013 most buildings were erected and equipment installed. Trial production started on 16 October 2013 and within a few months three older gas works in Budapest were shut down. The Óbuda Gas Works was inaugurated on 15 June 1914. At that time it was one of the most advanced gas factories of the continent able to produce 250.000 m3 gas, daily.

In 1980 Budapest switched to natural gas and the gas works decommissioned in 1984. Many buildings are renovated and converted to office buildings in the Graphisoft business park.

Gallery

Copyright ©: Text and photos by Károly Teleki Industrial Heritage Hungary

Source: 1) Az Óbudai Gázgyár története I-III. Fischer Zoltán (szerző). vgf.hu. 2011. 2) Technikai fejlődésünk története 1867-1927. Magyar Mérnök- és Építész-Egylet, Stádium Rt., 1928.