Construction of first Marriott hotel in Belgrade on hold because of building permit

(future look of Marriott hotel in Vasina Street)

The announced construction of a Marriott hotel in Vasina Street, in the immediate vicinity of the National Museum should have started half a year ago. It was expected that the first facility from this chain at the location of the former headquarters of Jugodrvo would shine in its full splendor by the end of 2013, that the construction works would go on fast since they were to be carried out on the existing building. However, this is another example that paperwork and bureaucracy labyrinth slowed down the construction project.

According to Branko Trkulje, director of PFB Properties, which owns the future hotel, the system of construction permits issuance is not functioning in the city. Therefore, the company submitted the complaint to the secondary institution, the Ministry of Construction and Town Planning.

- Prolongation with the construction permit issue is an example of how we as the nation place obstacles to ourselves – Trkulja says. – Although we obtained a location permit which implies a technical project, quantity and conditions, a construction permit should be a formality and should be issues within 15 days. However, it was delayed for no reason and any sense. The Secretariat for town planning was constantly returning the delivered documentation with the new unrealistic requests.

As Trkulja says, one of the requests is to relocate the shaft in the Dositejeva street installed three decades ago and place it within the new building. When it was located where it should be, there were all licenses and conditions which were requiring it so now it is crazy to ask from us to change all that, and it is not even possible – Trkulja says. – It is a strange thing that someone prefers this building to remain an ugly facility at the city center than to turn it quickly into a beautiful part of Belgrade.

Half a year ago, the PFB Properties company, owned by PSP Farman Beograd, expecting the works to start, emptied the facility from tenants. Representatives from this company say they lost significant profit by not obtaining a construction permit.

City representatives say they rejected the construction permit request two months ago as incomplete because the investor did not stick to the demand and completed the documentation.