Marriott awaits building permit - Investors stick to initial hotel designs

(the look of future Marriott Hotel)

Construction of Marriott Hotel in Belgrade will begin as soon as a building permit is issued to PFB Properties, which expects to get it any day now, people at that company have told eKapija.

Although it was previously announced that the work would commence April 1st, the timetable has been changed due to a delay in the issue of aforementioned permit.

- The city management has delayed the issue of building permit. We've already done everything we could. Complete documentation has already been submitted together with all necessary consents of competent agencies. We also sent an official letter tagged "urgent" before the holidays, and expect to obtain the building permit any day now – Branko Trkulja, director of PFB Properties, says in a talk with eKapija.

The project investor expects this four-star hotel to receive its first guests one year after the work begins.

- Works will not be carried out in phases. The hotel is planned to open within 12 months of the moment the works start. Along with two underground floors, the facility will span a total of somewhat less than 7,000 square meters. The value of this investment is estimated at about EUR 25 million, inclusive of the value of the real estate. The money required has been partially provided by the owner, that is, the PFB Properties company, certain funds have been contributed by the PSP-Farman Holding system, whereas the rest is secured from the proceeds of a loan extended by EFG Eurobank - Trkulja points out.

Belgrade's new hotel will be situated in the very center of the city, at Republic Square, next to the National Theater and the National Museum, at the corner of Vase Carapica Street and Dositejeva Street, in a building that will be reconstructed. The main contractor is PFB d.o.o., part of the PSP-Farman Holding system, with the Bexel company being the expert supervisor.

Considering that some architects protested against the changes to be made to the facade of Jugodrvo's former facility, we've asked our interlocutor if they stick to the initial solution.

- The facade will be changed in line with our initial solution. The designs applied by architect Miomir Luzajic are in compliance with the latest architectural trends. Building featuring a similar facade can be seen in most of the world-renowned cities. At the time when he was drawing plans for the facade of Srbijatex department store at Terazije Square, Luzajic faced similar reactions. When it comes to aesthetic standards, they always cause subjective reactions, especially if some new, avant-garde solutions are introduced. In our case, the facade should solve the problem of overheat protection, given that the building is facing southwest. This should allow for significant energy savings and better comfort for guests.

Hotel management

The hotel will comprise 114 rooms, restaurant, cafe bar, club, meeting room and a gymnasium for hotel guests.

The facility will be managed by the Marriott company in compliance with the standards of its brand "Courtyard by Marriott", and on the basis of a long-term hotel management agreement that PFB Properties has signed with that corporation.

The director of PFB Properties explains what will make the hotel in Belgrade different from other facilities within the US hotel chain.

- With respect to the standard of the "Courtyard by Marriott" brand, our hotel will offer a significantly improved interior as well as top comfort in all common areas - entrance hall, restaurant, cafe bar, club, given that it is situated in the heart of the historical part of the city. The hotel will also aim to attract local guests, offering them a real oasis to enjoy and relax in the city center.

S.O.