Built in 1914 and—at the time—thought to be one of the most modern electrical plants in the world, this startlingly gorgeous art-deco facility in Budapest, Hungary, has been out of commission since 2005 and protected by law from demolition, but left to slowly decay, like many once powerful centers of industry. Called the Kelenföld Power Plant, the 99-year-old structure was built by Hungarian architects Kálmán Reichl and Virgil Bierbauer as a tribute to—what else?—"the power of electricity."
Perhaps the most mesmerizing room of all is its glassed-roofed control center (↑), which is surprisingly grand for an industrial facility—indeed a "soaring temple to a near-magical substance that was changing the world," as Gizmodo put it—and eerie enough to garner cameos in several apocalyptic movie and music videos (including Chernobyl Diaries). Unfortunately, the place is by and large closed to the public and protected by the government against any and all restoration, including even the most basic maintenance. Have a look at the electrifying architectural gem before it sinks even further into disrepair.
Business Insider has the full story, right this way.
· This Abandoned Power Plant Has Beautiful Art Deco Interiors [Business Insider]
· A Rare Glimpse Inside a Magnificent, Abandoned Shrine to Electricity [Gizmodo]
· All Abandonment Issues posts [Curbed National]