Hotel Grand in Šumperk is undergoing extensive reconstruction and will open this year

Šumperk – The functionalist building of the Grand Hotel, which is one of the most prominent structures in Šumperk, is undergoing extensive reconstruction. The new owner aims to transform not only its interior spaces but also its overall exterior appearance, which will be more glazed, and the façade will feature lighter colors. The investment will require tens of millions of crowns. The hotel is expected to open in the second half of this year and will also change its name. It should offer visitors to Šumperk a capacity of up to seventy rooms, said Andrea Veselovská, a representative of the investor, today to ČTK.

"Hotel Grand is an iconic place for the city of Šumperk and its residents; it is significant not only architecturally but also due to its location at the end of Hlavní třída. The Grand has been a topic for the local population, having long fallen into disuse, which is why the investor has embarked on a comprehensive reconstruction aimed at creating a new accommodation facility that will serve tourism and corporate clientele," stated Veselovská.

After the reconstruction, the hotel is expected to acquire new conference rooms, a wellness center, and a restaurant. The internal layout of the building will also change. "We plan to have 35 standard double rooms and two deluxe apartments on the roof. The hotel will thus accommodate up to 74 people," said Veselovská. The investor began the reconstruction last year, with the opening planned for the second half of this year. "The investment is costly, and we estimate it to be in the range of higher tens of millions of crowns," added the representative of the investor.

The name will also change. "The investor decided to change it precisely to distance itself a bit from the past, to give the hotel a new breath, keep up with the times, and attract the attention of foreign clientele. We are aware that this is of great interest to the locals and is a topic of discussion on social networks. However, we believe that the new name of the hotel, which will stem from local conditions, will provide a fresh necessary step into the future," added Veselovská.

The Grand Hotel, located at the corner of Hlavní třída and 17. listopadu street, is considered by experts to be an example of quality Czech construction in Šumperk during the interwar period. The functionalist architecture was designed and built between 1931 and 1932 by the Olomouc builder Tomáš Šipka. The hotel acquired its present form during a reconstruction between 1965 and 1967. Before that, there was a farmyard and a pub located here, as stated by the city on its website www.sumperk.cz.

The hotel often served as a center of social events in Šumperk. For example, in 1968, its surroundings were a hub of resistance against the occupying Warsaw Pact troops. It was also featured on the big screen - in 2013, the black comedy "Krásno" by Ondřej Sokol was filmed here.