Balna Budapest, a modern cultural and commercial centre built in the shape of a whale, opened its doors on the city's eastern embankment on Friday after prolonged legal and technical battles.
Deputy mayor Gabor Bagdy said at the opening that in 2010 his administration had inherited a technically unfinished building which lacked commercial potential, in an underfinanced project under a legally challenging public-private-partnership.
The building, designed by the Dutch architect Kaas Oosterhuis, should have opened by August 2010, but the contractor left it in a half-finished state and failed to pay his subcontractors. Budapest municipality bought up outstanding debt in 2012 and paid some of the subcontractors, although there still remain problems, Bagdy said.
"The Balna could be the Eiffel Tower of Budapest," he said, adding that the New Budapest Gallery opened its doors on level 2 and level -1 will house an eco-friendly market and antique shops.
The Gallery opened with an exhibition containing the works of 58 contemporary artists on Friday and a wide range of programmes will be on offer until Sunday.
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