The future of the Grand Hotel Varna, also known as the Swedish Hotel, has become clearer following a decision by the Committee on Architecture and Urban Planning at the Varna City Council. the committee approved dividing the property into two sections. One section will see the existing building preserved and upgraded into apartments,while the other will be allocated for new construction with a maximum height of 15 meters and five floors.

According to Chief Architect Victor Buzev, the newly formed property will be designated “for hotel, homes, sports hall, playgrounds”. The hotel has been inactive for several years. In 2023, it was acquired by a company affiliated with Chimimport, which is also the primary investor in the St.St. Constantine and Helena resort where the hotel is located.

The Grand Hotel Varna boasts a rich history. Built in 1977 by Swedish architects at the Druzhba resort, it was considered a state-of-the-art facility. Known as “Grand” by locals, it became a symbol of Bulgarian tourism, hosting prominent figures such as Todor Zhivkov, international delegations, Tina Turner, Anatoly Karpov, and numerous other celebrities from the worlds of culture and sports. It also served as a filming location for the popular movie “Orchestra without a Name”. Hristo Stoichkov and his team frequented the hotel after the american summer.

Following the privatization of Balkantourist around 1994, the hotel was acquired by Multigroup. Investments followed, and lavish gatherings organized by Iliya Pavlov for politicians and businesspeople became a public spectacle. pavlov’s assassination in 2003 marked a turning point, leading to a gradual decline despite attempts at revitalization by his widow, Darina Pavlova, and rumors of potential investments from figures like Silvio Berlusconi and Robert de Niro.