DOCUMENTS and MODELS\ The project of the Tirana Clock Tower changes again, the APEX guys take the "breath" of the center

One of the most discussed projects has been the construction of a tower next to the Tirana Clock, one of the few cultural monuments left from the past. An identity of the capital for decades, it can now only be seen with binoculars and looks like a "toy" compared to the buildings that surround it. Not only the Clock, but also the Et'hem Bey Mosque, have lost much of their former splendor.

But, these constructions were not done by themselves, but by central and local "hands". The firm that is building a tower complex has been significantly favored, to the point that it has changed the project several times. Once at a great distance from Sahat, another time next to the Municipality of Tirana and now again next to Sahat.

VoxNews has researched dozens of documents, new and old, which show the cunning of everyone, private and state, to alienate and suffocate the center and the nearby monuments. But what is most worrying is the fact that the center of Tirana changes only with detailed urban plans. But these plans have changed several times, just to please the "clients" or favorite businessmen.

Facsimile: KKTU decision in 2024 that extended the deadline and changed the project

According to documents available to VoxNews, on November 27, 2024, the National Council of Territory and Water issued another decision, this time with number 26, with the purpose of "approving the extension of the deadline and changing the project during construction for the 'multifunctional building 4, 5, 11 and 21 floors and 3 and 4 underground 'Book Building'".

It is about the famous building in the center behind the Tirana City Hall and next to the Tirana Clock, a cultural monument. A sudden decision, with only a few accompanying documents that say "project change". In fact, it is about increasing the built-up areas and expanding them, while the height will be the same, one tower 11 floors and the other 21 floors.

But expanding and building with just a stroke of a pen, to the point of changing even local plans approved long ago, can only happen in this country of ours!

Can you give a new permit to the centers of Rome, Madrid, Berlin, Paris, London?! Or can you change the urban development plans of the centers in these cities, or in Athens, Skopje, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Sofia and Bucharest? Of course not, since the center is always "protected", but in Albania even previous plans are changed from day to day!

Facsimile: Belgian studio 51N4E has conducted the new study ...

VoxNews researched new and old documents, which show that the studio that conducted the study of the area is the Belgian 51N4E. In fact, the first permit was granted in 2018, with the same number of floors.

It is learned that a new map of the layout of the structures and a special regulation document have been prepared. These documents state that the proposed plot for development, from an urban perspective, is located within the small ring of
the city, an area that was formed in different historical phases of the city of Tirana.

"This space is currently filled with ruins and depreciated one-story buildings. According to the current local master plan of the Municipality of Tirana, this territory is defined to be a destination with a multifunctional character with tower-type structures. Historically, this territory has been a residential and commercial area with 1 to 4-story buildings. The plot is located near the most important monuments of the city of Tirana such as the Clock Tower, the Et'hem Bey Mosque, the National Library and the Municipality of Tirana," the documents state.

Who made the new expansion plan?!

According to the documents, “for such an important design task located in the center of Tirana, a design group with values ??was chosen, namely 51N4E, an architectural studio based in Brussels and with design experience and built works all over the world.” According to her, this collaboration brought about a very special and successful typology that can be an example for the character of the center of Tirana.

VoxNews compared photos of the project approved in 2018 and those issued by the KKTU in November 2024. The changes are drastic, as the volumes have increased and the entire project has expanded. It has moved near the Clock Tower and near the Tirana Municipality, while the 11-story building has also undergone an increase in the volume of works.

The amendment documents state that "the geometric shape of this 3-building design respects the shapes and free circulation on the plot, being partially open and public at ground floor level in the first building in its western part."

3-dimensional view of the urban reality of the facility area

Building A (the western one) is designed in a pentagonal shape, taking into account that the ground floor will function as a reception area for the city of Tirana with clean, valuable and highly significant public activities, given that this floor will be semi-open.

"The pentagonal Building A is 11 stories high, and reaches a maximum height of 43 m. This building also offers access to the underground parking via a ramp which takes the entrance from the south, from 'Abdi Toptani' Street," the letters say. So it will be taller than the Clock Tower!

Facsimile: The Techno – ALB firm is owned by Dajlan Avdia and Glendi Abdi, former owners of the “APEX” casinos

According to the documents, the favors of the central and local governments have come to the firm "Techno ALB", whose owners are Dajlan Avdia and Glendi Abdi. Previously, the shareholders of this firm were members of the Mata family, while in 2019 and later the ownership also changed.

The two current owners were also owners of the "APEX" casinos, while recently they have become builders of towers and resorts throughout Albania. They have permits for resorts from Cape Rodonit, on the southern coast to Saranda.

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