Hyatt Hotels Corporation’s deal for the five star Hyatt Regency Zadar Maraska is with Turkish-headquartered developer Dogus Group’s Croatian division.
Cherry picking
The new luxury hotel is emerging in Zadar’s landmark Maraska building on the city’s waterfront. This used to house an administrative office and factory for Maraska, a Croatian company which produces maraschino cherry liqueur.
The location is a launching pad for travellers visiting Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, the Roman and Venetian ruins, and famous national parks, including Plitvice Lakes, Zadar Archipelago and Kornati National Park.
Modern delivery
Hyatt Regency Zadar Maraska will deliver on the modern expectations of today’s travellers and meeting planners. The 130-room conversion will feature authentic food and beverage offerings that will build off the Hyatt Regency brand’s history of culinary excellence.
The hotel will have facilities to serve as a venue for a variety of events such as weddings, social banquets, exhibitions, meetings, and conferences. Additionally, the hotel will offer a fitness centre, spa and an outdoor swimming pool.
Mediterranean tripartite
Emphasising the monumentality and beauty of the old Maraska building, originally designed by Slovene-Italian architect Boris Podrecca at the beginning of the 20th century, the new structure is split into two connected parts: one old and traditional and the other modern and new, therefore creating a Mediterranean tripartite. Croatia’s D&Z is the architect for this transformation. To achieve total unity with the surrounding park, a terraced landscape makes the transition between the architectural structure and the surrounding greenery.
British design specialists DeSallesFlint provided the hotel’s interior designs.
Schedule changes
The project was first announced in 2016 with a view to open the hotel in 2019, however, delays due to regional development planning and incomplete investments pushed the schedule back.
Construction work on the 20th century building finally did start earlier this year, and opening is now slated for Q1 2024.
Design revisions
The construction was planned in phases, with the first phase comprising works on strengthening and reconstructing the historical building. Parallel with this, the architect revised the original designs to update the project in line with the latest pandemic standards, technologies and design trends. The Dogus Group completed the review and began the second phase in May this year.
Behind the hotel, a residential complex with around 200 apartments designed by Zagreb-based studio 3LHD is in the planning process and will be actioned in further phases. The apartments will be part of a ‘mini city’ together with restaurants, bars, shops and other facilities.
