Despite efforts by officials at the Fund for Restoration and Administration of Historical and Cultural Places to restore the classic Qazvin Grand Hotel, investors have shown little interest due to the hotel’s location in Qazvin’s historical texture.
The hotel is Iran’s first “European-style” hotel built in 1922 during the final years of the Qajar Era. It was built in the western wing of Chehelsotoun Palace by the well-known Qazvin-based Ostad (master) Ali Jouli.
Speaking to ILNA, Ali Kazemi, investment deputy at the fund, said the hotel is in immediate need of investment or it risks falling into a complete state of disrepair.
So far, only one investor has stepped forward, but failed to provide evidence that he had the funds to restore the site.
“Analysts put the required investment at about 90 billion rials ($2.5 million),” Kazemi said.
However, possible damage to the historical texture when restoring the hotel could cost investors a small fortune.
Kazemi said another auction will be held after coordination is made with the provincial office of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicraft and Tourism Organization, which is responsible for the maintenance of the building.
Qazvin Grand Hotel is one of the oldest hotels in the whole country, covering about 3,000 square meters. The three-story building enjoys unique architectural features, such as Corinthian order column capitals, wooden ceiling, elegant stuccos and brickwork.
The hotel was inscribed on the National Heritage List in 2004. The hotel is also the site of a historically significant event: It was in this hotel in the early 20th century where the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty, Reza Shah, plotted the coup d’etat that ended the Qajari rule in Iran.
