A new hotel under construction at Split’s Bačvice beach, which saw its owners offer a 660 euro bribe to legalize 55 square meters, should open its doors on June 1. Although still under scaffolding, photos of the new hotel can be found on the Internet – and guests have already booked rooms, reports T.portal and Splitski Dnevnik on April 19, 2019.
Namely, on the Booking.com website, the property is almost completely booked for the season. But how could it not be, when instead of construction workers atop scaffoldings, there are pictures of a luxury hotel with a swimming pool. These lavish rooms overlook the sea, and the hotel paints a picture of elegance – at the top of the hotel, the photos even show sun loungers and parasols. The controversial hotel will set you back 300 euro for a one night stay. You can see pictures of the hotel on Booking.com.
This new hotel is Villa Harmony, boasting six floors located directly next to the most famous beach in Split. Due to its size and appearance, Villa Harmony has caused a lot of controversy and complaints by Split citizens as the building blocks the view in this part of the city. When construction began in 2016, the Municipal Court in Split issued a verdict, which revealed that the area covered by the permit was reduced by 55 square meters. However, the project was still completed and went forward thanks to bribing officials of the Ministry.
Zoran Sikirica bought the land at Bačvice from former Split Mayor Željko Kerum through Oriens, where he was the director. The company then changed directors and moved to Trilj and Sinj before finally returning to Split.
Last year, Sikirica said that the four-star hotel saw an investment of 32 million kuna and was expected to open by the end of 2018. In all likelihood, problems with documentation were the cause of the delay.
Villa Harmony should have 26 rooms and a large penthouse and saunas, a gym, a restaurant and an outdoor bar by the pool. Eight rooms should have a jacuzzi. Sikirica’s company Špinut is also known for building two apartment blocks in the same Split district a few years ago. The project was worth 25 million euro.
Zoran Sikirica, one of the four suspects named in USKOK’s action for giving and receiving bribes in the Ministry of Construction for this hotel, is said to have escaped arrest by traveling to Israel on Wednesday.
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