Tender for the restoration and consolidation works of the Constanta Casino cancelled
The tender for the restoration and consolidation works of the Constanta Casino, a procedure launched nearly 2 years ago and estimated at 31.6 million RON (excluding VAT), has been cancelled because the bids received by the National Investment Company, CNI, were unacceptable and/or non-compliant with the provisions of the specifications.
CNI representatives stated that the procedure was cancelled because the court rejected, through a final decision, the complaint of one of the bidders.
They claim that the completion of the tender was delayed by numerous appeals filed, despite all efforts to have the objective contracted and rehabilitated since 2012.
CNI also states that these delays were possible due to the legislative vacuum exploited by economic operators against the backdrop of changes to Law 101/2016 regarding remedies and appeals in the awarding of public procurement contracts.
The Constanta Casino, with a ground surface area of 1,598 sqm, was built between 1903 – 1911, according to the plans of architect Daniel Renard, a Romanian of Swiss origin, while the building’s infrastructure was entrusted for design and execution to the Port Construction Directorate, whose director was engineer Anghel Saligny.
At the time of its inauguration, the local press criticized both the long duration of the works and the appearance of the casino, built with the support of King Carol I, which the newspaper Conservatorul described as a „gaudy monster decked out with all sorts of trinkets”, which, from the perspective of architectural aesthetics, left much to be desired due to complete asymmetry and a Babylonian mixture of styles, representing „a monument erected in honor of incompetence and bad taste”.
Over time, however, the casino became a symbol of the city of Constanta. Structural consolidations were also carried out during the Ceausescu regime, between 1983 – 1987, including the restoration of finishes and decorations, and in the last 20 years, only some repairs have been executed, but each time limited to a construction area, without the building’s structural problems being addressed in a unified manner.
Source: Profit
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Constanta Casino restoration tender cancelled?
The tender was cancelled because the bids submitted were deemed unacceptable or non-compliant with the technical specifications, and a final court ruling rejected a bidder’s complaint.
What is the estimated value of the restoration project?
The project was estimated at approximately 31.6 million RON, excluding VAT, covering both restoration and structural consolidation.
When was the Constanta Casino originally built?
The iconic building was constructed between 1903 and 1911, designed by architect Daniel Renard with infrastructure oversight by Anghel Saligny.