Náchod will buy the former castle hotel for nearly 30 million crowns and will also convert it into apartments

Náchod - The twenty-thousand-strong town of Náchod will buy the former Castle Hotel and restaurant near the castle and the regional gallery of fine arts for nearly 30 million crowns. The town hall plans to transform the property into a center for culture, social housing, and urban development. Today, 16 out of 24 present councilors voted in favor of the purchase, said Nina Adlof, spokesperson for the Náchod town hall. The owner is the company Zámecká restaurace Náchod. The former hotel is located in the protected cultural heritage zone of the Náchod Castle.

Deputy Mayor Jan Čtvrtečka (SOCDEM) described the former castle hotel as the silver of Náchod, and he believes it would be a mistake not to take advantage of the opportunity to purchase it now. "It would be a great shame if we didn't consider buying the (former castle hotel). We weren't the only interested parties," Čtvrtečka said today, adding that if the town ignored the castle hotel, it could regret it in the future.

The building, in a Neo-Renaissance style, historically belongs to the castle complex and was built on a slope. It has a basement, two above-ground floors, and a residential attic. According to the appraisal, the price is between 30 and 36 million crowns. The town has preliminarily agreed with the selling company on a price of 29.75 million crowns, including the equipment of the property. The transaction is expected to involve the property on plot number 333 and others, including building no. 1280 on Smiřických Street.

According to the town hall, the property is in good technical condition, so its reconstruction should not be too expensive. The city leadership estimates the total costs for the modernization and adaptation of the property, including the creation of apartments, a museum, technology, and equipment, to be in the range of several million crowns.

In the basement, a Museum of Baby Carriages could be established, while the first above-ground floor could host a Day Service Center for Seniors in collaboration with the Náchod Regional Charity. The center will provide assistance to families who want to care for their loved ones at home but are unable to ensure care during the day. In the first phase, the Center's capacity could be 20 people, with the potential to expand to 40 in the future, the town hall stated.

On the second above-ground floor, in cooperation with the non-profit organization Pferda, starter apartments for young families and people with special needs could be created, for example, for people with intellectual disabilities. One apartment is also meant for people in crisis situations, such as victims of domestic violence. The apartments would be created by converting hotel rooms. The hotel has not operated for about a year.

In the attic, where there are also former hotel rooms, facilities for social service staff or space for a property manager will be created. A total of at least ten apartments are expected to be established in the property. The building also plans to have a café, which will be managed by Kavárna Láry Fáry Náchod, an organization Pferda, with which the town collaborates long-term.

According to the town hall, the project fits into the intention to create a tourist zone around the castle, linked to the premises of the former castle hotel, including a possible information center or mini-zoo, which would enhance the attraction not only of Náchod Castle but also of the entire Náchod region. In the future, the town also plans to support the area by introducing a new bus connection.