THE GRANDE HOTEL BEIRA

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BEIRA, MOZAMBIQUE

The Grande Hotel Beira, back in 1954 was regarded as one of the most luxurious hotels in Africa. It was operated until 1974 and was then closed due to a lack of guests. The building which stands with 4 floors, and

21 000 sqm was then used as a military base in the Mozambican Civil War. After the war the hotel was never reopened and with time it slowly started to house what is now a small town within its walls.

The hotel is currently home to over 3500 squatters. The residents that are lucky enough to have rooms have been living there for years and finding a space in the hotel is one that is much sort after. Rooms that were once used for dining, lounging or even as a bar are now separated into small rooms using makeshift beams covered by sheets of fabric. The residents use the outside courtyard as a local market place where they sell fresh produce and fish, and the government also provides classes for the children who live there.