Monetra
Hospitality

Hotel in a former coach house – profit growth by 32%

We transformed a deteriorating outbuilding into boutique guest rooms. We saved the original roof truss and introduced modern heating systems.

+32% operating profit
ClientStarówka Hostel Ltd.
IndustryHospitality
TimelineMarch–November 2023

The former coach house at Mostowa street stood empty for 6 years and was deteriorating. The owner thought about demolition, but we convinced him that the walls were healthy and worth preserving. We made 7 rooms of high standard out of it, which earn today.

Moisture testsConservation supervisionHVAC optimizationBrick renovationOak woodwork

The challenge

The building had no foundation insulation. Moisture was coming up 1.4 meters up the wall, and the smell of damp was perceptible from the street. Additionally, the local conservator did not agree to insulate the facade with polystyrene. Heating costs in the client's neighboring building rose by 19% within a year, so the hotel had to be energy-efficient, despite the old walls. We had only 8 months to hand over the facility before the Christmas season.

Our approach

Our team of 5 drying specialists entered the construction site. We injected a moisture barrier at 148 foundation points. Instead of standard insulation, we used thermal insulation plaster from the inside, which allows the walls to breathe. We brought a proven carpenter from Chełmża, who manually recreated oak window frames based on those from 1904. We monitored the progress of work every Tuesday at 8:30 am to avoid delays.

The solution

A boutique facility with 7 rooms was created. We left natural, cleaned brick where its condition allowed. We installed a heat pump hidden in the basement and underfloor heating, which eliminated unsightly radiators. We recovered 12 original handles and fittings, which after renovation returned to the doors. All lighting is based on a control system that turns off the power when the guest leaves the room.

Results

The facility started in December 2023 and immediately obtained full occupancy over Christmas. The owner stopped paying for the ruin's maintenance and started earning net profit already in the third operating month. We look for a second bottom in every old wall and it paid off here.

+32%
increase in net operating profit
148
points of anti-moisture injection
21%
lower heating costs vs project
7
unique boutique rooms

Timeline

  1. March 2023
    Wall moisture tests and roof truss inventory.
  2. May 2023
    Execution of anti-moisture barrier and replacement of 4 floor beams.
  3. August 2023
    Installation of oak woodwork and heat pump installation.
  4. October 2023
    Interior finishing with preserved exposed brick.
  5. November 2023
    Conservation acceptance and handing over keys to the owner.

"I was afraid the conservator would block us and we would sink money into the mud. Monetra handled the formalities and watched the workers every week. Now these rooms earn for themselves."

Marek Wiśniewski Owner of the facility, Starówka Hostel Ltd. January 2024