The Jadran Hotel in Rijeka, Croatia, has stood on the rocky shore of Kvarner Bay since 1914. Although its origins lie in the Art Nouveau style, it was not until a much later modernist refurbishment that it acquired its current character, making it one of the most recognisable buildings in the area today. After more than a century of operation, the Jadran is currently undergoing yet another transformation.
The Hotel Jadran opened on the day of the Sarajevo assassination
The history of the establishment dates back to 1911, when four entrepreneurs from Sušak founded the Jadran seaside resort. Two years later, they leased this coastal plot for 50 years to build a hotel on it. The grand opening, postponed several times due to bad weather, took place on 28 June 1914 – exactly on the day of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo. To the sounds of a military band, guests strolled through the corridors of the brand-new building, which featured 50 rooms, a restaurant and a bathing establishment. The facility operated all year round, had electric lighting, and was easily accessible from Rijeka by omnibus.
Art Nouveau beginnings on the Kvarner Bay
The Jadran was built on a steep, rocky slope, directly overlooking the Adriatic. Its architecture was dominated by influences from Viennese Art Nouveau, and its construction utilised the Hennebique reinforced concrete system, which was a pioneering technology at the time. The name of the architect who drew up the original design remains unknown, as the documentation has not survived. An important part of the hotel’s life was the bathing area, which was also used by local residents. In the 1920s, swimming competitions organised by the HŠK Victoria Sušak club were held here.
Light-coloured façades and balconies right by the water
The Jadran’s current appearance is the result of several successive renovations. The elongated structure is crowned by a flat roof and the distinct geometric edges of the balconies. The light-coloured façades are complemented by sections of wall clad in stone slabs. From the street side, the building has fairly classical proportions, with a centrally positioned entrance and rows of windows. These are adorned with decorative frames and small balustrades beneath some of the openings. On the bay side, however, the view is dominated by balconies, slender white supports and metal balustrades featuring geometric ornamentation. A vertical strip of large windows runs down the centre of the façade, breaking up the interplay of vertical and horizontal lines slightly. The lowest storeys of the hotel are situated right by the water, next to a narrow bathing platform.
Post-war art and a seawater swimming pool
1964 marked the hotel’s 50th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the building underwent extension and modernisation, including the addition of a further storey and side wings. Guests were offered a new terrace, a café, a conference room and a seawater swimming pool. In the 1960s, the Croatian architect Igor Emili worked on the interiors, and the décor featured works by Edo Murtić and Dušan Džamonja – important figures in Croatian post-war art. The changes introduced at that time resulted in a number of simplifications and brought the building closer to the then-fashionable modernist aesthetic, evident in its minimalist décor and more regular layout. After many years of operation, the Jadran required another refurbishment of its now-worn interiors and a revamp of its image.
The Hotel Jadran is undergoing renovation once again
The hotel closed in 2024 for the current refurbishment. However, the work has taken longer than expected, and the reopening date is not yet known. Saša Randić is responsible for the architectural modernisation, whilst Saar Zafrir has designed the interior, drawing inspiration from the tradition of Mediterranean seaside resorts, the port city of Rijeka and historic holiday resorts. The design makes use of deep blues, natural materials, striped and chequered details, and lighting reminiscent of ship’s fittings. Once completed, the four-star hotel is set to offer 67 rooms and three suites, most of which face the bay.
Hotel Jadran regains its splendour
The ‘306’ library will occupy a prominent place in the interiors currently under development. Its name refers to a room associated with Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić, a Croatian author of children’s books and fairy tales inspired by Slavic mythology. The hotel’s offering will be complemented by a new restaurant, saunas, a fitness centre with sea views and access to the beach. Jadran is preparing to make its debut as Croatia’s first Tribute Portfolio hotel. The exact reopening date is not yet known, but it all looks very promising.
Source: jadran-hoteli.hr, rijekaheritage.org
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