Address: 16 Ștefan Cicio-Pop Street, 310086
Dates from: 1900
Architectural style: Secession
Current role: working pharmacy
Can be visited: yes
Other sights in the area: “Ioan Slavici” Classical Theatre (1874), St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church (1904), the Bohuș Palace (1913)
The palace was designed by the prominent Arad-born architect Milan Tabacovici to be the residence of pharmacist Földes Kelemen and home to his famous pharmacy.
In 1896, Földes registered his own trademark – “Földes Kelemen, a pharmacist of Arad”. The brand became internationally famous following the resounding success of one of his products: the “Margit Creme” face cream, named after his daughter.
In the late 19th century, the upper-middle class of Arad was eager to adopt the newest architectural tendencies of Central Europe, enjoying a growing economic power.
Several architects, having trained in the Secession style in the main cities of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, built numerous ambitious edifices for the families of local entrepreneurs. The Földes Kelemen Palace represents the first example of this style in Arad.
Milan Tabakovici did not only design the building, but also the pharmacy and laboratory furniture, the floor tiles, the interior decorations, even the vessel labels and the store signboard.