History

"The reuse of space, materials and even the structures is a fact found throughout the history of civilizations. Whatever their reason, economic or cultural."

The building of the hotel is only a traditional building common of Alentejo´s architecture, without incalculable historical value recognized. However, it is a landmark in the village of Santo António das Areias it is a day of some generations: their modes of life, their traditions, the constructive processes. It is part of the economic´s history development of the Marvão´s county. So can and should be preserved, revitalized, recycled.

1º moment- The History

The Poejo Boutique Hotel is the first hotel of Marvão and Castelo de Vide, built in 1919.

Although tourism is still incipient in the region, Santo António das Areias was in full industrial development. João Nunes Sequeira, Sequeira Nunes's founder, constructed the building, with the sole purpose of installing a hotel (6 rooms, 2 floors) then donating it to the Town Board - April, 1920 - to explore: Pensão Ribeiro.

The building is located on the corner of the street to the bakery on April 25th Avenue, near the headquarters of factories,( today, offices) trading center.

A Mill was installed on the ground floor as a solution for handling the runoff of second grade olives not used by the canning factory. The outside patio was used to receive and weigh the olives which were transported in carts, then deposited in barns – which are partially signposted on the existing wall – until they were pressed. The building therefore belongs to a historical and architectural period of great relevance: the beginning of economic, demographic and social development of this small village. Santo António das Areias was growing, becoming more urban, and reached its peak in the 50s and 60s. In the surrounding fields, avenues were built; suburbs and plots were developed to accommodate the new population which was working in the two new factories; a residents' committee was formed, which was unheard of at that time, and would go on to build recreational infrastructures – an entertainment centre with a theatre and cinema, a seasonal dance hall, the biggest disco in the District, a sports centre and a bull-fighting arena (Praça de Touros).

Pensão Ribeiro operated for decades and as the years went by, it suffered the wear and tear of time, use, lack of upgrading and the requirements of modern life. By the eighties, it was already closed and in an advanced state of degradation. The Mill was not in use, part of the barn areas were transformed into shoe warehouses.

2º moment - the Reconstruction

At 1990, three shareholders of Nunes Sequeira, S.A. - Santo António das Areias factory´s group- buy the old buildding and form a new enterprise Grácio, Boto & Casa-Nova, Lda, to open a new hotel: simple program, pension ( 13 rooms ) with a snack bar. The turism began to develop and the county have a few lodging : 16 rooms at Pousada and 8 rooms at a pension.

The reconstruction of the building was given to the architects José Manuel Coelho / Ana Pestana, the engineering to José Brazão, the interior design to Lígia Casanova Boto. The new building conserve the old walls and the original alentejo architecture. The inauguration at 1994 with a new name: Poejo, it means pennyroyal - the aromatic herb is very important for the alentejo gastronomy.

But soon you realize the promoter of the deficiencies in the offer: starting a continuous process of training employees, developing services and activities in animation - the one in the region offer packages in cultural permanence.

The promoter notes the deficiencies in the turism offer and starts a continuous process of training employees, developing services and activities in animation - the first in the region with packages in permanence.

3º moment- the renew

In 2000, they decided expanded and refusbished again. The increased space, the newlybuilt patio-garden, the restaurant, the lobby, the spoils, all contributed to the awarding of boutique of today’s.

The new hotel unit concept was developed based on these principles: quality improvement, willingness of the developer to give it continuity: prolong its operation and life cycle, add value to its memory, preserve it by maintaining its original features – the façade, spans, reconstruction of the patio. Collaboration revolved around a work group where inter-disciplinary skills were essential for the efficient planning of construction, in light of its life cycle and high level of wear and tear when in use. The aim is to improve the quality of supply and competitiveness, increase the services provided and establish a restaurant, vital factors for development of the strategic products - Tours, Food and Wine, Eco-Tourism, taking into account the potential of North Alentejo: the Parque Natural de S. Mamede (of scenic, fauna, flora and scientific value), historical and cultural heritage (archaeology, architecture, ethnography), high level of conservation and genuineness:

Acquiring the dilapidated building and establishing a hotel unit revived history. There was continued commitment to its preservation with the option of reclassification: restoration, recovery and maintenance. The environmental impact was minimized, time and costs of construction were reduced, a contribution was made towards adding urban value rather than degrading it, preserving architectural and scenic values, improving the quality of the community. Its life span was extended, thus contributing to the ecological environment: reduced use of natural resources (energy and materials), less construction of urban areas, of sanitary landfills, less demolition and related contamination, lower production of new civil construction materials, reutilization and recycling of elements used for construction of the project. Since this village has the biggest youth population density, not very common in the Alentejo, the widest range of available services (post offices, supermarkets, banks, various shops, fuel stations, schools and nurseries, bars, cafés, markets, etc) also contributes to local development, matching supply and complementarity of services, which helps people to settle down in the area.