Prime Minister visits Zarea Hotel: We want transparent auction and as many bidders as possible

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan visited Zarea Hotel in the center of the capital as part of the Government’s efforts to ensure a transparent privatization process and harness state property under the best possible conditions.

“We want to showcase this asset to the entire world and attract as many bidders as possible to the auction so that we can obtain the best possible price for the state. I want you to be confident in the integrity of this process and our intention to give all entrepreneurs the opportunity to participate,” said Tofan.

Zarea Hotel was put up for privatization by the Public Property Agency on June 19, 2026, through a public open-outcry auction, at an initial price of 106 million lei. The auction was initially scheduled for August 20, but at the Prime Minister’s request, the deadline was extended by two months to give potential investors more time to examine the asset, analyze the documentation and prepare their bids.

Thus, participation applications may be submitted by 12:00 p.m., October 19, 2026, while the auction will take place on October 20, 2026. As of August 14, four potential investors had expressed interest in Zarea Hotel, including by reviewing the privatization file and examining the asset on site.

The Prime Minister emphasized that beyond the revenue generated by the privatization, the priority is to harness the property’s long-term potential: “Perhaps even more important than the revenues to the state budget is realizing the true potential of this asset: creating new jobs, stimulating the economy, and enhancing the center of Chișinău with a building that is much more attractive than it is now.”

In this context, a concept competition was also launched for young architects and creative professionals, who will be able to present their own visions of what Zarea Hotel could look like in the future by sending them to zarea@app.gov.md by October 4.

The hotel is located in the center of Chișinău, near the main public institutions and landmarks in the historic center. The building has 12 floors, 137 rooms, and a usable area of 6,123.7 m², situated on a 0.3111-hectare plot of land. The enterprise is currently operational.

The property’s location and characteristics allow for several development scenarios. According to the information provided to potential investors, the property can be used for hotel, administrative, commercial activities, or a combination thereof.

To ensure open access to information and facilitate potential investors’ due diligence, a dedicated website has been launched – zarea.app.gov.md. It contains information about the asset, the property’s characteristics, and the conditions for participating in the auction.

Zarea Hotel is state-owned and is administered by the Public Property Agency.