June 10, 2022 - The former Hotel Iž, where Luka Modrić and his family were housed during the Homeland War, will open as 'A'mare' hotel next month.

Renovations on the former Hotel Iž in Zadar are coming to an end, and in mid-July, it should open its doors as 'A'mare', reports Slobodna Dalmacija. 

"Every resident of Zadar and many of their guests have certainly heard of the hotel "Iž". Finally, after years of decay, one of the city’s icons will shine in a whole new light. 

To keep the heart of Zadar in the hotel, we came up with the name 'A'mare', which is synonymous with the famous historical heritage of the city, the amarena that marked many lives of Zadar families. The latest gem in the tourist offer opens its doors on July 1 and is looking for diligent, responsible, and ambitious people with the motivation to work in tourism," reads the advertisement from 'Green Tech Group' on the internet portal Moj Posao where they are looking for kitchen workers.

Behind Green Tech Group is a young Zadar entrepreneur Anthony Ninčević, son of the famous Mladen Ninčević, who also owns the hostel "4 You" in Zadar and Zagreb.

Recall, in the autumn of 2018, the Government decided to sell a majority stake in the former single military hotel Iž, where refugees lived during the Homeland War, including today's world-famous football player Luka Modrić and his family. It was sold to Ninčević's company for 11.47 million kuna.

The renovated tourist facility will have about a hundred rooms and a dozen four-star apartments. They will be able to accommodate about 250 guests.

Computer simulations of the future appearance of the kitchen and part of the hotel interior have also been published on the pages of the Moj Posao portal. The central hotel building has been renovated; a built-in elevator can be seen on the facade, while work on the annex - where the hotel's reception and restaurant will be - is in full swing to meet opening deadlines, more likely by mid-July.

At the end of the season, the plan is to continue the work on improving the hotel infrastructure. Namely, the owners are negotiating with the City about the conditions for arranging the square in front of the hotel. An underground garage should be built below it, and the square above is planned to be renovated and arranged following modern communal standards.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated lifestyle section.

August 8, 2018 — For Sale: Yugoslavia-era fixer upper with allegedly problematic tenants.

Past occupants’ lives irrevocably shaken during Yugoslavia’s bloody dissolution.

Long-time canvas for graffiti artists.

Luka Modrić once called it home.

Price: 6,6 million kuna