By Nadezhda Dvoryanova
Since April, the famous 22 storey hotel has been closed to guests, with two more floors being added and the facade undergoing modernisation. Additionally, all engineering communications are being updated and an observation platform placed on the roof, reachable by panoramic lift. A rooftop restaurant and cafe will allow visitors to enjoy the city from a bird’s eye view. The hotel’s aqua-park and fitness hall are also being revamped and new interior decoration is underway. The hotel will retain its three-star category, as it is impossible to significantly change the layout of the building. However, the level of service will be improved.
The project is part of Minsk’s investment programme, with the largest Belarusian contractor — Stroytrest #7 JSC — supervising these major works. It has already worked on the National Library of Belarus, Minsk’s railway station and Vostochny bus station, the Europe Hotel and several other sites. Minskproekt is preparing designs.
“The preparatory stages are complete, with the hotel closed since early April, fully overseen by the general contractor. The second stage envisages construction works, with the hotel to open in time for the World Hockey Championship, being held in Minsk in 2014,” explains Minotel JSC’s General Director, Vladimir Stashkevich.
The Belarus Hotel is part of Minotel and was built in 1987. It is viewed as the country’s calling card, being unique in the Republic as regards size (520 rooms of different classes) and in its engineering solutions.
