Grande Hotel da Póvoa, in earlier times Palace Hotel, is a historic hotel located in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal. It has a

modernist style Modern architecture, or modernist architecture, was an architectural movement or architectural style based upon new and innovative technologies of construction, particularly the use of glass, steel, and reinforced concrete; the idea that form ...

of great impact and is located at

Passeio Alegre Passeio Alegre is a square in Póvoa de Varzim City Center in Portugal, and is listed by IGESPAR as an urban site with public relevance. Passeio Alegre is a beach squared with esplanades and a stage for outdoor performances. Due to the area's po ...

square, in

Póvoa de Varzim City Center Póvoa de Varzim City Center or Downtown Póvoa de Varzim (Portuguese, ''Centro'') is the heart of Póvoa de Varzim in Portugal, and is the location for most of the city's municipal services, tourist attractions and businesses. It is the center, n ...

waterfront. The façade and cover were designed by architect Rogério de Azevedo, a prominent New State architect, who also designed

Casino da Póvoa 280px, Casino da Póvoa Francisco.almeida.23 on instagram. Casino da Póvoa (English: Póvoa Casino) is a casino located in Póvoa de Varzim in Portugal. It is a gaming and entertainment venue since early 1930s, the building has a Garnier-inspire ...

History

The hotel was built in early 1930s, was grouped in the same project as Casino da Póvoa, built during the same time. This hotel and casino project was during this period one of the largest investments in Portugal. In 1931, Rogério de Azevedo had substituted the early architect responsible for the project, José Coelho. Rogério de Azevedo was influenced by his master

José Marques da Silva José Marques da Silva (18 October 1869 – 6 June 1947) was a Portuguese people, Portuguese architect and educator. Life and work Training José Marques da Silva was born at 113 Rua de Costa Cabral, in Porto, on 18 October 1869. His architectur ...

, and by the French and Flemish Renaissance while studying in Paris. Rogério de Azevego was a notable architect who designed the Comércio do Porto building in Porto and, in Póvoa, participated in the restoration works of the

Monastery of Rates The Monastery of Rates ( pt, Mosteiro de Rates) was a Benedictine monastery located in the parish of Rates in the municipality of Póvoa de Varzim, in Portugal. The part of the monastery that has survived to this day is the bell-tower and, most ...

church, an ancient Romanesque site. The Casino-Hotel project was overseen by Empresa de Turismo Praia Póvoa de Varzim, who got the gambling license. Both the casino and the hotel were later managed by Sopete, a Povoan tourism company that changed the name from Palace Hotel to Grande Hotel, and the later name kept being popularly used even when Accor hotels re-branded it as Mercure Hotel. It was bought by Grupo Elpo Hotéis in late 2000s, that changed the name back to Grande Hotel da Póvoa. Grande Hotel da Póvoa was listed by IGESPAR, the Portuguese national monuments institute, along with other buildings in

as an urban site of public importance in 1977.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Grande Hotel da Povoa Hotels in Portugal Buildings and structures in Póvoa de Varzim