Major redevelopment at iconic Dubrovnik site begins

Kupari (Photo credit: Gzzz/CC BY 4.0)

The redevelopment of the former military resort in Kupari is finally set to begin.

Heavy machinery has already arrived on-site, located just 10 minutes from Dubrovnik in the municipality of Župa Dubrovačka, as the area is being cleared and fenced off in preparation for demolition, Dubrovački dnevnik reports.

The investor behind the project is HLP Croatia Limited, a Singapore-based company that acquired a 90% stake in Kupari Luxury Hotels d.o.o. in 2022.

All hotels within the former military complex, except for Hotel Grand, will be demolished. This includes Hotel Pelegrin, a structure of significant architectural value.

Kupari (Photo credit: Gzzz/CC BY 4.0)

When it was built in the early 1960s, Pelegrin was the largest hotel on the Adriatic in both volume and capacity. In 1963, it was hailed as a rare architectural masterpiece that stood out far above the standard in terms of design, function, material, and execution.

According to Dubrovački dnevnik, the specialised company Eurco d.d. will carry out the demolition work. A protective fence will enclose the entire Kupari area, but a pedestrian corridor will remain open, allowing access to the road leading past Hotel Goričina towards Hotel Grand and the coastline.

Following the demolition, plans are in place for the construction of a modern luxury resort.

(Image: Studio 3LHD)

The project plans to reconstruct five historic hotels into a unique tourist complex with approximately 400 beds.

(Image: Studio 3LHD)

Kupari recently gained international recognition when BBC included it in a list of the world’s 12 most fascinating abandoned structures. The British publication described the site as appearing, from a distance, like any other Mediterranean resort—except without any tourists.