
The government on Thursday presented eight projects on public land that it intends to develop with private investors in Tirana. They envisage the construction of towers, government offices and a new stadium.
The presentation was titled “Bridges for Albania 2030.” This is part of the campaign for the development of 28 public properties that were transferred to the administration of the Albanian Investment Corporation, which Citizens.al has previously reported on.
List of eight projects presented:
1. “Lift Tower” – Muhamet Gjollesha Street
Architects: Baukuh, Muoto, Sam Chermayeff, Yellow Office, Atmos Lab, Bollinger Grohmann, Simoj Boudvin, Archimade.
A 39-story mixed-use tower for student residences, offices, hotels, and housing. It is planned to be built on a plot of approximately 2,350 square meters where the former Institute of Construction was located - next to the Faculty of Engineering.
Currently, the offices of the Property Treatment Agency (ATP) are located there. The government proposes to give the land to the private party on condition that it expands the Tirana Cadastre building next to the “Harry T. Fultz” school.
The competition for investors opened on November 20. The deadline for bids was extended from January 6 to January 20. Investors must have economic stability and a guarantee of 8.5 million euros in funding flow.
2. "Civic Land Center" - Panorama Street
Architects: Baukuh, Muoto, Sam Chermayeff, Yellow Office, Atmos Lab, Bollinger Grohmann, Simoj Boudvin, Archimade.
The project is related to, and is dependent on, the development of the “Lift Tower” – explained above. It reconceptualizes “under a giant silo”, the 6-story building of the Tirana Local Directorate of the ASHK. It is also planned to relocate the offices of the ATP and the State Agency for Expropriation (ASHSh).
Three 8-9-10-story blocks are being added to the building, which are planned to be for offices, archives, and recreational spaces.
According to the Corporation, around 1,800 public administration employees will benefit from this proposal for space development.
3. "Tirana Void Tower" - Joan of Arc Boulevard
Architects: Coldefy, Atelier 4, Semper Virens, Jacopo Foggini, AEI
A complex with 3 25-story towers next to the Lana River in the place where the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATAH) was once headquartered. Currently, the Educational Services Center has its offices there.
The corporation plans to give the private sector 2,840 square meters of former ATSH land and the development project. In exchange, the private sector must build the government complex in the Paris Commune area. About 51 thousand square meters of construction are expected with a capital gain value of approximately 60 million euros.
The competition for investors opened on November 20. The deadline for bids was extended from January 6 to January 20. Investors must have economic stability and a guarantee of 10 million euros in funding flow.
4. “Public Administration Cluster” – Municipality of Paris
Architects: Coldefy, Atelier 4, Semper Virens, Jacopo Foggini, AEI
Government complex in the "Paris Commune" area. 22 institutions under the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Education, and then those of Tourism and Environment are brought together. About 34 thousand square meters of construction space are obtained.
The project envisages the demolition of the block of buildings where the Civil Aviation Authority currently has its offices. This concerns the space between the buildings, which is bordered by Sulejman Delvina-Medar Shtylla-Osman Myderizi-Grigor Heba streets.
The space is re-conceptualized with 17 platforms from 2 to 8 floors. They are covered by a gridded facade with terraces and public spaces. The construction is conditional and dependent on the development of the “Tirana Void Tower” explained above.
5. “Expo Albania” – Farka
Architects: Steven Holl, Agnieszka Kurant, Ateiler 4, Markgraph, ARUP, Stoss Landscape.
Exhibition center with flexible spaces for exhibitions, concerts, events, logistics and recreation, with service areas for hotels and restaurants. Designed to be built next to the Farka Air Base on the Eastern Ring Road of Tirana.
The project covers an area of ??17 thousand square meters of land at the Farka Base. It is intended to provide about 30 thousand square meters of construction. It was announced the winner on April 18, 2024 after an open competition that started on December 29, 2023. The design team was awarded 40 thousand euros.
The visual side was presented on October 14. The concept idea is part of a feasibility study supported by the Italian Agency for Development and Cooperation (AICS). There is currently no call for investors.
6. “New National Library Building” – Dora D'Istria Street
Architects: XDG – Xavier De Geyter, iRI
The National Library is planned to be built in the area of ??the former Republic Guard, at the entrance to the Great Artificial Lake Park.
The project has not been made public, although it was conceived in 2020. It appears in renderings of the 14-story hotel that the company “Nova Construction” is building in the area. It is titled “Pieces, Hospitality and The New Building of The National Library”. It also foresees the construction of the National Center for Children’s Culture. The latter is currently under construction.
The reasons for the delay in the construction of the new National Library are unclear. But the Corporation obtained the use of the proposed land with a Council of Ministers' Decision that was approved on Thursday, January 9. It included it on Friday in a "duo call for project proposal and investment". According to it, it is envisaged that the new library will be built by a private company in exchange for a tower near the Student City area.
The competition opened on January 10 with a deadline of February 10. The investor is required to have financial stability and liquidity for an investment of 8.5 million euros.
7. 25-storey tower on former German villas
Architects: Unspecified
Multi-function tower on Gramoz Pashko Street, in the area of ??former German villas in Student City.
The corporation offers 5,219 square meters of land where 7 government villas are currently located for private development. The condition is the construction of the National Library. The opportunity to develop up to 60 thousand square meters of construction is offered. The proposed spaces are commercial (5%), office (10%), hotel (25%) and residential (60%).
Considering a land use of 45-50%, the floor area could be 2,400 square meters. With this, we can assume that a private person could build a tower there with about 25 floors.
The competition opened on January 10 with a deadline of February 10. The investor has the freedom to design the tower project with his own team, provided that he also builds the library.
8. Selman Stërmasi Stadium – “New Tirana”
Architects: Unspecified
As we have reported, the “Selman Stërmasi” Stadium is offered by the Corporation as an asset for development by private investors. They are given the mandatory construction of a sports facility. In exchange, they are given up to 120 thousand square meters of construction on 57 thousand square meters of land for development.
Described as the "Revival of the Selman Stërmasi Stadium", the project does not exclude the possibility of a second stadium with towers. This is because the National Stadium with a tower project has received high public praise from the government and the Municipality of Tirana.
The competition with the "duo call for project proposal and investment" was opened on December 24, 2024 with a deadline of January 24, 2025. The investor has the freedom to conceive the project himself, but must have financial stability. Also experience in similar constructions and liquidity opportunities of at least 12 million euros.