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Architects: Semrén & Månsson
- Area: 34000 m²
- Year: 2012
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Photographs:Krister Engström
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Manufacturers: Aurubis
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Text description provided by the architects. The transformation of the Central Post Office into a world class hotel will in the future further develop the area around Drottningtorget in a very positive and substantial way. The project originated in a conversation with the construction company PEAB. At the time PEAB was assisting Choice Group in the establishment of a large new hotel in Gothenburg. When asked what would be the most suitable location, the answer was the Central Train Station area - "but there's nothing available."
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Semrén & Månsson was at the same time working with the downtown Hotel Avalon and up to date with all parameters that govern hotel projects. During a walking tour around the central station the true potential of the Central Post Office became evident. The existing building had a rhythm of windows suitable for a hotel and the existing infrastructure included a large yard with loading docks, a great asset for congress halls and also the possibility to add new building volumes to achieve the desired hotel facilities and total number of keys.
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At that moment we could not fully grasp the complexities of transforming a central mail facility into a modern hotel of international standard. Without an extremely good working relationship with the authorities including the offices for Real-estate and Development, Urban Transportation, City Planning, County Administrative Board and the National Heritage Board it would not have been possible to rebuild and add 10.000 m2 inside a national monument, thus implementing the project. Since the opening day, the reward in terms of popularity and attention give proof that the city really needed a gathering place in this most central location.
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