- Written by: Noémi Vizi
- Reading time: 4 minutes
Budapest, Andrássy Avenue 125 – the former Révay Villa, which its owner left to his butler
Today we present a villa located on one of Budapest’s most iconic avenues: Andrássy Avenue 125. The development of Andrássy Avenue began in the 1870s and it was designed for the 1896 Millennium celebrations, creating a connection between the main venues of the festivities: Heroes’ Square and City Park with the city centre. The most distinguished aristocrats and citizens of the era built their villas here. The avenue has preserved its prestigious character to this day; it is home to renowned luxury brand boutiques, embassies, cultural institutions, luxury offices, as well as privately owned villas and apartments serving as residences. It is commonly referred to as the Andrássy Avenue villa district or the Diplomatic Quarter. It is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The owner of the property at Andrássy Avenue 125 was Ferenc Xavér Révay. The history of the Révay family can be traced back to the period of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy; they were one of the most prominent noble families of the era and arrived in Northern Hungary1 in the 16th century. Since Ferenc Révay supported King Ferdinand I in his conflict against János Szapolyai, the family received numerous honours and positions from the monarch in addition to their Croatian estates. He was first appointed hereditary Lord Lieutenant of Turóc County, then Royal Personal Judge (a judicial office representing the monarch). His position effectively secured the wealth and influence of the Révay family for centuries. They were elevated to the rank of baron in 1560.
Moving forward in time to the 1830s, this was when Ferenc Xavér Révay, the commissioner of the villa at Andrássy Avenue 125, was born. There are few significant records about his life other than the fact that he was Lord Lieutenant of Turóc County and a member of the House of Magnates. His estates covered approximately 30,000 acres, meaning he had no financial difficulties2 – and neither did his family.
The baron was always considered an eccentric figure. He did not attend social events, rarely received guests, and did not live the “ordinary” aristocratic lifestyle of his time. Instead, he preferred a secluded, solitary existence with his servants and butlers. He purchased the plot for the villa on Andrássy Avenue in 1881 for 15,422 forints, then commissioned architect Antal Wéber in 1882 to design the building, while János Bobula was responsible for the construction. The villa was completed in 18853. It was built in an eclectic style and consists of four levels, including the semi-basement and the attic. Newspapers hardly reported on its construction, just as they rarely wrote about its owner. Yet the reality was far more fascinating… The baron had no contact with his relatives and never had a family of his own. Therefore, the villa was not designed with a wife or children in mind. His servants and butlers lived on the ground floor, with Baron Ferenc occupying the first floor. The building has relatively few windows, only on the front and rear façades. This also reflected his desire for privacy, as he wanted to allow as little insight into his life as possible. He was generous and often donated, for example between 1876 and 1896 he donated artworks and collections to the Hungarian National Museum on several occasions. However, he did not wish to reveal his identity, so museum records usually listed him only as an anonymous donor.4
In his youth, Révay travelled extensively abroad, especially to the East. During one of his journeys he met a dark-skinned servant named Halim, whom he became very fond of and even had a portrait painted of him, which he kept in his bedroom. Later, when Halim became ill with smallpox, the baron personally cared for him until his death.5
Révay initially used this villa on Andrássy Avenue as a summer residence, but as he grew older, he spent more and more time there with his servants. As mentioned earlier, he maintained a good relationship with his staff, but he became especially close to his butler, János Reichl. Reichl served Révay for many years, and when their paths eventually separated, the baron told him: “You were a servant, but now I will make you a gentleman”6 – referring to his intention to leave his fortune to him. As a gesture of gratitude, the baron first gifted him the estates in Turócszentmárton and Zaturcsa. Later, Reichl only visited his former employer when he was specifically invited to Budapest.7
As the baron’s servants changed over the years, so did his will. He prepared five different versions, changing the names and the amounts assigned to various individuals after his death. However, one thing remained unchanged: he intended to leave all of his movable and immovable property (worth approximately 12 million crowns) to János Reichl. This clause appeared identically in every version.8 The family’s legal adviser, Dr. Zsigmond Farkasházy, informed the family about the contents of the will and suggested placing the baron under guardianship, but ultimately they decided against it, thereby preserving his dignity.9
In mid-December 1914, Ferenc Xavér Révay died at the age of 79. After his death, the final version of his will came into effect, but his two nieces immediately challenged it in court. They objected to the family fortune passing to the butler and effectively disappearing from the family inheritance. They filed a lawsuit in 1915. The family’s lawyer presented statements from renowned psychiatrists claiming that the baron suffered from mental illness, but the court upheld the original will. According to the reasoning, the court had no authority to question the validity of the testament. The family, in modern terms, appealed the case, and at the second instance the fortune was awarded to the family, with Dr. István Novák, the Greek Catholic Bishop of Eperjes, appointed as custodian. Finally, the case reached the Curia, which rejected János Reichl’s claim10. As a result, the entire Révay fortune returned to the nieces, and ownership of the villa at Andrássy Avenue 125 was transferred to their names in 1920.11
For a time the villa remained residential, but after World War II it functioned as an office building. At one point it housed the headquarters of the National Council of Agricultural Cooperatives, later the Patriotic People’s Front, and eventually the Heti Válasz magazine. After its sale, it became a privately operated office building12. In 2024, renovation and modernization works began. According to current plans, after its rebirth it will operate as a luxury office building, providing more than 1,100 m² of space for its future tenant.
The former Révay Villa is currently undergoing transformation and is offered for long-term lease. This prestigious villa in one of Budapest’s prime locations is ideal for a company headquarters, executive headquarters, medical practice, studio, or art gallery. For further information, please contact us at hello@dandan.hu or arrange a consultation with Dániel Vitáry at +3630/618-2271.
