Bela L. Matrai, Shanghai architect
NETA (Nobody Ever Talks About) is a column about lesser-known architects of Shanghai. It usually features original content - but not this time.
Béla L. Mátrai (1885-1964) has been the focus of the ongoing investigation of Shanghai's Hungarian Consulate, and Hugues Martin recently summarized their findings in this post: http://shanghailander.net/2020/10/bela-matrai-hungarian-architect-in-shanghai/
Matrai's architecture studio was at 278A Route Culty (now Hunan Road), in a building of his own design, which he also owned.
Curiously, Matrai is listed among the Russian architects practicing in China by an emigre magazine published in Prague in 1938. Perhaps his connections to Russia went beyond being married to a Russian...
Béla L. Mátrai (1885-1964) has been the focus of the ongoing investigation of Shanghai's Hungarian Consulate, and Hugues Martin recently summarized their findings in this post: http://shanghailander.net/2020/10/bela-matrai-hungarian-architect-in-shanghai/
Matrai's architecture studio was at 278A Route Culty (now Hunan Road), in a building of his own design, which he also owned.
Curiously, Matrai is listed among the Russian architects practicing in China by an emigre magazine published in Prague in 1938. Perhaps his connections to Russia went beyond being married to a Russian...