Hotel Yugoslavia (Jugoslavija), a five-star hotel built in the 1960s in the Serbian district of New Belgrade, is likely to be demolished, according to the Associated press (AP).
The hotel opened its doors in 1969. The guest list included figures such as Queen Elizabeth II, American presidents and astronauts such as Neil Armstrong.
However, the hotel suffered damage during the NATO bombings in 1999. Only parts of the hotel have been renovated since then and are still in operation until recently.
The once polished facade of Hotel Yugoslavia now has a white exterior marred by crumbling concrete and graffiti, while the interior features faded velvet armchairs, torn bed mattresses and broken windows.
In March this year, Millenium Team subsidiary MV Investment acquired the property for approximately €27 million ($29.33 million). BalkanInsight.
The sale took place during bankruptcy proceedings against hotel operator Danube Riverside.
Hotel Yugoslavia was eligible for cultural property protection until 2011, but was subsequently removed from the register by the Institute for the Protection of Monuments.
Zivorad Vasic, spokesperson for the investors, explained that the decision to demolish the hotel was based on several reasons.
Vasic was quoted by AP as stated: “Firstly, quite a few parts of the hotel were destroyed during the bombing in 1999. Secondly, the catering industry has changed completely and enormously. If you look at the hotels of today and what they looked like in the past, they were completely different.”
The new owners have announced plans to replace the building with two 150-metre-high towers, with a luxury hotel, offices and private apartments.
Meanwhile, local residents who oppose the construction of the skyscrapers are protesting and have vowed to block their demolition if necessary, according to the AP report.
“Hotel Yugoslavia in Belgrade likely to be demolished after years of disrepair” was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a brand owned by GlobalData.
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