The reconstruction and renovation project of the former Sljeme Motel, an architectural cultural heritage site designed by one of Croatia’s most renowned architects, Ivan Vitić, has begun. The motel is located in the Preluka area near Rijeka.
The new hotel, scheduled to open by the end of 2026, will have a four-star rating and will be named the Rivia Arts & Culture Hotel. The total investment amounts to 18 million euros, with the investor being HGK Hoteli, a company founded by the Croatian Chamber of Economy.
The revitalization of Vitić’s building, constructed in 1965 and now classified as an immovable cultural asset by the Ministry of Culture and Media, will be carried out according to the highest professional standards. The conceptual design for the future Rivia Arts & Culture Hotel has been entrusted to the architectural firm Mataija x Sipina x Turato, led by Rijeka-based architect Idis Turato and architect Maroje Mrduljaš, who emphasize their commitment to honouring Vitić’s vision and modernist legacy in the construction of this building.
“One of our key goals is to position the Rivia Arts & Culture Hotel as a model example of how the revitalization of cultural heritage can create long-term economic value and an authentic product. By investing in the renovation of the old Sljeme motel, we are also creating a platform that will bring together local expertise and products. From architecture and design to program solutions and food and beverage offerings, we aim to prioritize the products and services of our members, of Croatian companies and entrepreneurs. It was precisely the Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK) that laid the foundations for the systematic promotion and appreciation of domestic production more than 25 years ago, with the “Buy Croatian” initiative while simultaneously educating new generations of consumers. We have continuously encouraged and highlighted the importance of local production and the strength of Croatian brands. With the Rivia Arts & Culture Hotel project, we are taking this effort a step further by creating a model example—a kind of showroom where visitors can experience the very best of Croatia,” emphasizes Luka Burilović, President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy. At the beginning of last year, HGK launched the Stories – Experience Premium Croatia platform to promote and develop premium tourism in Croatia, which now includes over 100 members. “Authentic experiences and high-quality, diverse offerings will be embedded in the core of the Rivia Arts & Culture Hotel’s operations. Therefore, I believe that once our hotel opens, it will meet the membership criteria for the Stories platform,” Burilović concludes.
“At full capacity, the Rivia Arts & Culture Hotel will employ approximately 40 people. We have already initiated communication with educational institutions in Rijeka and the surrounding area, including both high schools and universities, to develop collaborations aimed at training and employing tourism professionals. Our goal is to establish a strong connection with the local community while ensuring the highest level of service quality at the hotel. Moreover, this commercial project is of strategic importance for the Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK) as it represents a key step in activating previously unused assets. The project enables the optimal use of resources while laying the foundation for long-term profitability and sustainable revenue growth. In doing so, HGK further reaffirms its commitment to strengthening financial stability and self-sustainability,” emphasized Tomislav Radoš, Director of HGK Hoteli.
“In addition to improving accommodation capacity, we plan to introduce modern amenities that meet the high standards of the hospitality industry while preserving the aesthetic and historical elements of the original design,” architect Idis Turato noted.
The project presentation was also supported by Tomislav Petrinc, Director of the Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage at the Ministry of Culture and Media, who stated that this type of cultural heritage, created during the modernist era, presents a professional challenge in terms of its functional adaptation and future use.
The Rivia Arts & Culture Hotel will feature 57 accommodation units, including six standalone units designed as apartments. A unique aspect of the hotel’s offering is its conceptual division into a “retro” section, where guests can experience the ambiance and room design of the 1960s and 1970s, and “contemporary” rooms that bring a fresh modernist experience into the present day, with advanced technology as a central element. The hotel will also introduce a unique immersive wellness concept, offering unforgettable sensory experiences by blending the scenic beauty of Croatia with high-tech multimedia solutions and virtual reality.