Root Planning pushes for Estoril Hotel preservation

Hotel Estoril seen from the Tap Seac Square

A group named Root Planning has mobilized its supporters to petition to keep the Estoril Hotel on its current site. This action comes amid the government’s plans to totally revamp the aged complex into a recreational and cultural center.
The Urban Planning Concern Group seeks to press the authorities to initiate a heritage evaluation on the hotel to determine its potential cultural value before they swing into action on the revamp.
“According to Article 19 and 20 of the Cultural Heritage Law, every local citizen is entitled to turn in suggestions to the Cultural Bureau to rate real estate of significant cultural value,” the group’s petition invitation on its Facebook page reads.
If the Estoril Hotel is assessed as a cultural heritage building, the possible revamp plan would end up in tatters.
Last Saturday, on the sidelines of a graduation ceremony, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam, said that he “supported” and “respected” the group’s move and had ordered the Cultural Bureau to follow up on the request accordingly.
Nonetheless, he noted that the prevalent voices in favor of the renovation had dominated the 20-plus previous consultations. Furthermore, the education sector suggested removing the fresco depicting a nude woman from the hotel’s façade, which he agreed could exist in another venue.
According to the government’s revamp blueprint, the new complex will consist of not only arts facilities for youths, but also additional sports facilities and an all-season swimming pool. Roughly 1,000 underground parking bays would also be available in the new plans. AU