Hill International has opened a branch and project office in Prague, Czech Republic, offering the full complement of construction and project management services.

According to 2018 research from the World Travel & Tourism Council, visits to the Czech Republic constituted 7.6% of national GDP, with further growth expected for the next decade.

“We have had plans for some time now to increase our work in the Czech Republic and in particular Prague as a key city in CEE,” said Alex Ramos, Vice President & Managing Director, Western Europe. “As we are already supporting a major project for an international investor in Prague, this was the precise time to solidify our commitment there.”

Currently, Hill is providing construction management services for Aventicum Capital Management’s renovation and expansion of the Prague Marriott Hotel. Hill’s new office is located in the same building.

The hotel renovation project is anticipated to be finished in 2020, however a number of phases will be finalized and operational sooner.

“The building encompasses a full city block and is divided into the hotel, retail space, and business offices,” said Ramos. “There is vacant office space in the building, which will be reconfigured and converted into more than 100 new hotel rooms.”

The project will also overhaul the front of house areas, including the main lobby, reception, and restaurant and bar, as well as adding new lift cores. “As a result of the renovation and increased room capacity, there has been a domino effect where upgrades are also needed to back of house areas, such as the kitchen, executive offices, and administrative offices which is a common implied requirement in these types of interventions,” said Ramos.

Utilizing best management practices developed during decades of providing construction management services to hospitality clients throughout the world, Hill scheduled and phased all work to occur while the hotel remains in operation.

“An important driver is the limitation of disruption to the hotel and the occupied offices. This is where having a good delivery team becomes very important; with expert communication and planning, we believe we are able to find the right balance of minimal disruption whilst still getting the work done”

Concluded Ramos, “This is a landmark project for a blue chip, international, client in a new market for Hill. In many ways, the project is the perfect opportunity to showcase our capabilities and skills to the local market.”