Questioned by the Lusa, the director of the Vila Galé Group, Gonçalo Rebelo de Almeida, recalled that the architectural project was already presented a few months ago and that it was approved by the Regional Coordination and Development Commission of the Center and the Penacova Council.

"At this stage, we are preparing the specialty project, and we have confirmed that we will submit it to the Penacova Municipal Council this month, to request approval. After deferral, we will have the licensing project approved and we will only need to wait for the issuance of the fees to obtain a construction license and start work," he told Lusa.

Gonçalo Rebelo de Almeida also said that the estimate points to an investment "of around 14 million euros".

"We are expected to have a year and a half of work ahead of us, after the approval of the specialist project", he said, when asked about the probable date for the opening of this hotel unit.

Asked to provide details of the project, the administrator assured that "the urban reconversion process in Penacova is being carefully planned in order to balance the preservation of the architectural heritage with the development of a quality, four-star hotel unit", admitting that one of the main challenges of this project is to recover a building in an advanced state of degradation.

"The preservation of this building is of great added value, not only because of its historical importance but also because of the symbolic value it brings to the future hotel development. The building of the former Preventório, together with the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Guia, will be the 'heart' of the project, with the aim of recovering it and integrating it into the new development. The intervention proposal aims to ensure that the hotel programme best combines the pre-existing characteristics of the building with the new facilities that are intended to be created", he explained.