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Franz Joseph commissioned Alajos Hauszmann, the architect of the expansion of the Royal Palace of Buda Castle, to design the ornate room. It was not a grand hall in its dimensions, and what Hauszmann produced was a true jewel box.

He explained that “The relatively small dimensions of the hall demanded an intimate design that brings out the delicacy of the details and the harmony of the colours.”

Hauszmann hired the greatest artists and craftspeople of the time do make the furnishings. The wonderful walnut panelling was made in the works of Endre Thék. The painter Ignác Roskovics painted the portraits of the great figures of the House of Árpád, and the painting of the coronation of St Stephen. The majolica tiles and the grand, imposing fireplace were made in Vilmos Zsolnay’s factory in Pécs.

The bust of St Stephen was the work of Alajos Strobl, the gold brocade wall hangings were made in the weaving works of Fülöp Haas and Son, and the furniture and upholstery came from the workshop of Gelb and Son.

The parquet flooring was by Neuschlosz Brothers, the bronze chandeliers and wall brackets by the bronze craftsman Rudolf Kissling, and the wrought bronze ornaments by Gyula Jungfer. Hauszmann designed the curtains and the ornate carved chairs for the hall.