The former Hospital Concelhio de Albufeira will be completely transformed, in a project that foresees the creation of aspaces for exhibitions, museum wings, a panoramic restaurant, a shop, a multipurpose space and even houses for artistic residencies. The building, which is closed, is owned by Santa Casa da Misericórdia, which intends to start the works in October this year.
Located on Rua Henrique Calado, in the heart of the Historic Center, in addition to the Hospital, which has been closed since 2008, the group of buildings also includes a former guesthouse, as well as the former headquarters of the Misericórdia de Albufeira.
Santa Casa took advantage of the International Day for Monuments and Sites, which was celebrated this Monday, April 18, to present the ambitious project it has for this group of buildings.
According to the provider, the works, worth around 3 million euros, provide for the creation of spaces for a permanent exhibition, on the history of Misericórdia de Albufeira, and other temporary ones.
Added to this is a multipurpose space (which can host meetings or congresses, for example), a museum wing, a panoramic restaurant, a cafeteria and even a store with products from Misericórdias from around the world.
«This is a cultural project, where we intend to value the entire history of Misericórdia that is coincident with that of the Municipality, but also the Municipal Hospital itself, valuing what the professions are in this area», explained Patrícia Seromenho to the Sul Informação.
The objective is, at the same time, «to encourage our young people to be interested in these areas», he added.
The idea of carrying out works in this group of buildings was already old – for the space it was even planned, for example, the creation of a Continuing Care Unit that never came to fruition.
«It was a great challenge to carry out this rehabilitation and today, with this public presentation, we are aware that we have gone up one more step», considered Patrícia Seromenho.
The expectation of the provider of Misericórdia de Albufeira is that the works will start in October this year, ending in December 2023.
“We will have to be agile, but that is the objective”, the official told our newspaper.
For Cristiano Cabrita, vice-mayor of Albufeira, this is a «structuring project» for the future of Albufeira that will help «position the city in the coming years».
«It is essential to enhance the Albufeira brand, also beyond the sun and beach. There will be a city with a new face after this project », he concluded.
Photos: Pedro Lemos | Sul Informação
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