The classification of the Avion hotel among national cultural monuments will not affect its repairs

Brno - The inclusion of the Avion hotel in the group of buildings with the highest heritage protection, decided by the government, will not jeopardize its upcoming reconstruction. The renovation plans were created by architects in cooperation with heritage conservationists earlier according to stricter standards for monuments. Stanislav Berousek, the owner of the functionalist hotel from the 1920s, told ČTK today. He welcomed the status of a monument and wants to use it in advertising.
The long-planned repairs will begin this year and should return the hotel to its original design by architect Bohuslav Fuchs. A self-service dining room is to be created on the ground floor, which will continue the buffet that was in place even in the 1980s. The owner will establish a restaurant on the first floor, newly accessible by elevator, and a café and wine bar on the second floor.
After reconstruction, the hotel should be equipped to approach four-star hotels, but it will not carry any stars according to Berousek. "We are the narrowest hotel complex in Europe; the dimensions of the rooms or bathrooms would never achieve that many stars. However, our prestige has definitely increased," said Berousek. He wants to attract tourists precisely with the unconventional background and design of the hotel.
Avion has been closed since mid-January, and the restaurant on the ground floor has not been operational since last week. Repairs are expected to start this spring, with costs estimated at tens of millions of crowns. Berousek did not want to specify the exact amount. "The results of the allocation of grants from European funds, for which we applied, are to be announced in February, and until then I would prefer not to specify," Berousek said. He hopes to select a construction company in the tender by the end of March. The work is expected to last 10 to 12 months.
The owner is collaborating on the reconstruction with architect Eva Jiřičná. Her style will be most evident on the eighth floor. Today's terrace, which is unused and can only be used as a restaurant garden in good weather, will be enclosed. This will allow it to be used year-round. According to Jiřičná, the café will be named Eva.