Numerous renovation initiatives in Luxembourg have encountered delays or necessitated budget adjustments in recent years, and the Domaine Thermal is no exception. Although the renovation has yet to kick into full gear, it is evident that the initial budget must be increased due to unforeseen factors.
The allocated budget was intended for the renovation of the – state-owned – buildings within the Domaine Thermal. However, the current reality, five years later, demands a substantial upward revision of the budget. The primary driver behind this adjustment is the inflationary surge in the construction sector, with labour and material costs experiencing significant spikes.
Paul Hammelmann, Chairman of the Board of Domaine Thermal et de Santé Mondorf, acknowledges the delays, attributing them partly to the complexity of the site. The commitment to retain all 320 employees during the construction period further complicates the situation. Despite these challenges, the total or partial closure of the spa is deemed impractical due to its adverse impact on the clinic’s patients and the region’s economic vitality. Consequently, the renovation work must proceed incrementally.
Pierre Plumer, Managing Director of Domaine Thermal et de Santé Mondorf, reports ongoing smaller-scale ancillary works, particularly on the electrical side, as preparations for planning permission continue. However, the authorisation for renovations, granted by the law in April 2020, has not translated into immediate action. Legal entanglements, particularly concerning the car park, have become a major bottleneck, contributing significantly to the delay in starting the renovation work.
The complexity of the situation is exacerbated by tensions arising from the Public Buildings Administration’s desire to assume the role of the main contractor. Hammelmann noted that if the renovation had been pursued as a private initiative, substantial progress would have already been made, particularly on the hotel’s exterior. In the construction industry, where time is money, challenges in collaboration pose significant hurdles to the project’s timely and cost-effective completion.
The construction of the original spa dates back to 1847. The current structure, built in the late 1980s, is set for a comprehensive renovation due to signs of aging and outdated technical facilities.
General Manager Pierre Plumer highlighted the pressing need for renovation, emphasising that the most significant undertaking will involve the building housing the spa treatment centre. Over the past 40 years, this structure, including its flat roofs, has been neglected and now requires a complete overhaul. Plumer outlined the extensive scope of the project, indicating that the outdated flat roofs need replacement, extending all the way to the roofline. The thermal pool, though seemingly flawless on the surface, presents a hidden challenge. The foundations beneath, exposed to thermal water, have succumbed to rust and demand a thorough replacement.
The proposed renovation strategy involves a comprehensive “gutting” of the building while preserving its distinctive Brutalist façade, considered a quintessential representation of Luxembourg’s 1980s architecture.
Full report by RTL Télé (in Luxembourgish)
