The restoration project of Hostynny Dvir (Hospitality Court, a historic building) at 4 Kontraktova Square in Kyiv does not foresee construction of additional storeys and extensions, the building's courtyard will be covered with glass roof, and the facility will be used as a trade center as before, Director of Public JSC Ukrrestavratsiya Dmytro Yarych has said. Ukrrestavratsiya, a design and restoration company, is holding the building on lease.
“According to the design that has been appraised by state experts and on the basis of which we received permission to start works, no additional storeys will be built, no parameters will be changed, and no extensions will be constructed. It will be used for trade, which means that its primary function will be resumed. Around UAH 200 million will be invested in the project. This sum includes costs on protection from influence of the subway,” he said at a press conference hosted by Interfax-Ukraine in Kyiv on December 20.
Yarych noted that the company has the project with positive conclusions and approval by state experts, as well as permission for the launch of works dated November 15, 2012.
The restoration process will take 17 months, according to him.
“We are planning to implement the project within two years,” he added.
Yarych also said that preparatory construction works are being carried out on the territory of the building.
Ukrrestavratsiya head said that the company shareholders decided to invest in the development of Sahaidachny Square near the facility. The sum of the investment is being calculated.
While commenting on an incident that occurred on the territory of Hostynny Dvir on December 19, Yarych said that law enforcement agencies should evaluate the events. He noted that if law enforcers prove that Hostynny Dvir security guards violated the legislation by their actions, Ukrrestavratsiya is ready to announce a new tender to hire a new security company.
The public liaisons department of the Main Department of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine in Kyiv, at 0450 on December 19 Podilsky District Police Office received information that unidentified people were trying to break into Hostynny Dvir. The police are checking into the incident on the territory of Hostynny Dvir.
In turn, Project Systems Ltd. Project Manager Andriy Myrhorodsky said at the press conference that the color and configuration of the building, which is in the emergency condition now, will be saved during the restoration.
“If 80% of the premises return this [commercial] function then, I think, our historical mission at this building will be accomplished. Ukrrestavratsiya will remain in this building…they will occupy the same area on the upper storeys. Two storeys will be open for Kyiv residents and guests – a shopping center will be located there,” he said.
Myrhorodsky added that after the restoration it will be possible to enter the building from any side of the façade, and the courtyard could be used for exhibitions or open air cafes.
“Speaking about new things there, we will cover the courtyard with glass roof. This will be done to prevent penetration of water to the courtyard once and for all,” he said.
Myrhorodsky also noted that works can be carried out at the building and there are documents confirming that Hostynny Dvir is an architectural monument.
In turn, Vice President of the National Union of Ukrainian Architects Larysa Skoryk said that from the viewpoint of science the facility is a reconstructed building, and not an authentic one.
In addition, according to Vice President of the Construction Academy of Ukraine Anatoliy Berkuta, special premises will be prepared at the Mystetsky Arsenal museum for the library that is currently located in Hostynny Dvir.
As reported, on September 20, 2012 Kyiv City Council leased a land plot 1.02 ha in area to Ukrrestavratsiya for five years for the restoration of Hostynny Dvir and turning it into an office center with a parking lot for guests.
On August 3, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych signed a law expelling Hostynny Dvir from the list of cultural heritage that cannot be privatized.
Before that, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine issued instruction No. 1380 dated August 15, 2011 to remove Hostynny Dvir from the list of architectural monuments. According to the document, the building was removed from the list of facilities guarded by the state.
