Restoration of the Vloom Mansion – Building of Administrative & Scientific Services.

In April 2001, the Foundation completed the procedures for the purchase of the  Vloom residence, a mansion of  990,1 m², which is located opposite the Eleftherios Venizelos residence in Halepa, Hania. The purchase was funded by the Hellenic Parliament.
Directly after its restoration, the heritage building has been accommodating the administrative and scientific services (library, archive, research and educational activities) of the Foundation.
The Technical Services of the National Bank of Greece carried out the restoration studies of the mansion free of charge.
The residence of Eleftherios Venizelos will remain the registered office of the Foundation and will be converted into a Museum. This conversion will be carried out on the basis of a relative museum study and after the completion of the necessary restoration works. The museum will be organised according to modern museum standards comprising exhibit sectors with traditional objects and works of art related to Eleftherios Venizelos and to the history of this period.

Premises
The project for the “Enhancement and Restoration of the Vloom Mansion”, was part of the Regional O.P. for Crete 2000-2006 (Priority 4.2: Upgrading Urban Environment and Quality of Life-Cultural Sector) within the third Community Support Framework. The EU contribution by the ERDF covered 75% of public expenditure and 25% was covered by the Greek state. The Region of Crete was the funding authority.
The project budget reached the amount of 880.410,86 euros, which was sufficient only for construction works.

“Stavros Niarchos” Foundation
The Board of Directors of “Stavros Niarchos” Foundation made a significant donation to the National Foundation “Eleftherios K. Venizelos”, for the necessary research and administration equipment of the Vloom Mansion.
By making use of this donation, our Foundation acquired the necessary equipment for the formation of a modern scientific centre (administrative services equipment, librarian and archival equipment, fully equipped conference hall).
Showing its appreciation to “Stavros Niarchos” Foundation, the Foundation “Eleftherios K. Venizelos” has named its conference hall, which is also used for educational activities, “Stavros S. Niarchos” and has placed a special plaque in a distinctive space. The “Stavros S. Niarchos” Foundation was acclaimed grand benefactor and associate of the Foundation.

Photographs

1.    The Vloom mansion before the restoration.
2.    The Venizelos residence (Halepa, Chania) and the restored mansion which accommodate the Museum and the Administrative and Scientific services of the Foundation.
3.    The restored building.
4.    The restored building. 
5.    Conference Hall “Stavros S. Niarchos”.