A 30-metre panoramic elevator, a mineral water centre with recovery areas, as well as a two-storey congress and event centre are three of the projects for the Varna promenade that were presented publicly today by Varna Holding to the media. Implementation can begin immediately after obtaining building permits from the Varna Municipality, said Ivelina Shaban, a member of the company’s board. The response came after a briefing by Mayor Blazmir Kotsev a day ago, during which he announced that he insisted on transparency of public and private projects for the promenade. The tension came after the start of sewer construction in the area a month ago and the felling of a dozen trees. The municipality imposed a £10,000 fine on the developer after a strong reaction from the public. “Our insistence is that the natural features of the promenade are preserved and that there is no high-rise construction,” Mayor Kotsev told reporters.
An investment of more than 80 million BGN is planned by Varna Holding on an area of 15,000 square meters. Three of the projects were presented in detail today by Ivelina Shaban and Milcho Bliznakov from the holding’s board.
The panoramic elevator will be located near the Dolphinarium in the Sea Garden. The idea is that the facility will provide easier access to the boardwalk, which is currently cut off from the park due to the slope. According to Bliznakov, the elevator will have two cages that will be open only during the day and a staircase that will be open at night. Use of the facility will be free. After its construction, it will be offered for management to the Municipality of Varna.
The adjacent aquatic centre will have a 25-metre swimming pool and areas with water slides. It will be a two-storey building with saunas, massage cabins, a fitness centre, a doctor’s office and a fast food area.
The convention and event centre, which has already received approval from the Regional Environment and Water Inspectorate, will also be two-storey with two halls for about 300 people, office and technical facilities.
The maximum height of the buildings will be 8 metres, said Ivelina Shaban. According to her, car traffic during the day on the promenade should be as before – to the parking lot next to the Third Buna. The restaurants along the promenade would also remain, but with a single “design code” and the commitment to take care of the adjacent areas.
“We are waiting for coordination documents and permits from the Municipality. We are ready to start as soon as we get the permits,” Shaban said. According to her, the investment project can be implemented within 3 to 5 years.
According to the contract between the state and the company, it has to invest BGN 73.1 million in the overall project “Alley One”.
“Holding Varna” is the owner of 118 acres of coastal land in Varna, which in 2009 it bought from the state at a price of 50 euros per square meter with a certificate for a class A investor.
