HISTORY OF THE HOTEL
First building of the hotel complex “Minsk” was built in 1958 (by architects Bodanov and Sysoev; style – Stalin classicism) in place where small nine-room hotel “Novo-Berlin” owned by Mr. Hordon (architect – Kurvoisie) was located. It reflected a visiting card not only of the capital of Belarus, but of the whole Republic. The building was situated on the Lenin avenue and square, it had 6 floors and 265 rooms for 447 persons.
The hotel complex was departamental and belonged to the hotel network of Housing and Communal services Ministry. It was one of the most comfortable and well-furnished estamlishments of this type. There was a W.C., telephone, TV-set in every room. Restaurant, cafe and 24-hour buffet worked in hotel.
Second building was built and started to function in 1968, it had 7 floors (1 engineering) and 105 rooms for 324 persons. Every room was equipped with telephone, TV-set, W.C. (except 5 rooms).
There was a restaurant on the sixth floor, on the first – a cafe and buffets on the others.
Guests were provided with full set of nessesary services: business center, currency exchange, travel office, room service, hairdresser's, video center, valet service, luggage office, clothes repair, sale of medicines, tobacco goods, souvenirs, cosmetics, parfumes, different drinks, flowers, newspapers and printed matter.
In 1991 reconstruction of the first building was performed by Polish firm “Budimex”. In 1995 the hotel complex “Minsk” became a part of the structure of the President’s administrative department. In 2001 it was put on the Republic of Belarus national list of historical and cultural values.
But today is the begining of XXI century. Living standards and needs have changed, Minsk has flourished and transformed and a time for a total renovation has come for the hotel “Minsk”.
In September – October 1999 a tender for determination of general contractor was performed.
