Author: Jaroslav

Belgrade, March 22, 2024 – When it was completed in 1974, Palata Beograd stood as the tallest building in Belgrade and the Balkans, and at the same time, it was considered the first smart building in the region.

Designed by architect Branko Pešić, the tower soared above Belgrade’s skyline with a height of 101 meters and 24 floors. It became a symbol of the city’s urban development “golden era” between 1965 and 1974, during the mayoral term of the very same Branko Pešić.

Soon after its completion and grand opening on April 12, 1974, the building—popularly known as “Beograđanka”—became an iconic landmark of both Belgrade and former Yugoslavia.

Owned by the City of Belgrade until 2020, the building was then acquired by Marera Properties, which took on the role of investor in its ambitious and complex restoration project.

Thanks to a comprehensive reconstruction, key architectural, cultural, and historical elements—protected by the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Belgrade—were carefully preserved. All original systems were upgraded, energy efficiency was improved, and the interior design was brought up to world-class standards for premium office buildings. Today, Palata Beograd is a modern business center and home to numerous companies, employing nearly 1,000 people.

One such company is Alt Labs, which chose the top floor “Vidikovac” space as its headquarters. Marking the building’s 50th anniversary, Alt Labs launched the exhibition “Skyward Vertical” as a tribute to the creation and opening of this once-architectural marvel of immeasurable historical value.

The exhibition features historical documents, original construction photos, and other archival materials. Visitors are taken on a visual “Before & After” journey, comparing the building’s current appearance with its original form, while the Vidikovac terrace offers a breathtaking “Belgrade at your fingertips” experience.

The goal of the exhibition is to honor the creative and visionary spirit of the 1970s, told through a time-travel story of Belgrade’s most iconic skyscraper.

Marera Properties has officially launched its energy transition strategy, focusing on improving energy efficiency, securing a sustainable supply chain, aligning operations with ESG standards, and achieving CO₂ neutrality across its entire real estate portfolio.

Starting May 1, 2024, all business properties under Marera Properties’ portfolio—including office, retail, and industrial facilities located in Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Niš—are being powered exclusively by electricity from certified renewable sources.

This transition will allow Marera Properties to continue delivering top-tier services while significantly reducing primary energy consumption and minimizing its environmental footprint.

By investing in green energy, Marera Properties is actively contributing to environmental protection and the sustainable development of local communities.

Belgrade, March 22, 2024 – At a special ceremony marking 143 years of the Red Cross of Novi Sad, the Mayor of Novi Sad, Milan Đurić, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Marera Properties for their generous donation worth 1 million euros—a fully renovated hall located within the Pobeda Industrial Park in Petrovaradin.

The facility, spanning over 1,600 square meters, was completely renovated in 2023 and granted for use to the Red Cross of Novi Sad. It now serves as a key center for storing and distributing humanitarian aid, supporting numerous vulnerable families and individuals.

Between January 1 and December 31, 2023, the Red Cross warehouse in Petrovaradin distributed 1,090 tons of humanitarian aid. Within the city of Novi Sad, aid reached 4,369 families, totaling 13,596 individuals, with an overall value of 47 million dinars.

The strategic partnership between Marera Properties and the Red Cross was further strengthened in 2023 with the launch of the “You’re Worth Three People When You Donate Blood” program. This initiative encourages blood donation among employees at Marera Properties’ office and retail locations, as well as within the Pobeda Industrial Park.

As part of this program, a blood drive was held on February 23, during which the Red Cross of Novi Sad and the Blood Transfusion Institute of Vojvodina collected a significant number of blood units from employees working in the industrial park.

Zemun Park, the first retail park in Belgrade, is entering a new chapter under the name FORUM PARK. This transformation is led by Marera Properties, a company whose portfolio includes retail spaces under the FORUM brand. The rebranding reflects a strategic move to unify and strengthen the FORUM brand, while also introducing a comprehensive transformation of the retail park—including a fresh new visual identity.

The integration of the FORUM brand across Forum Shopping Center in Niš and Forum Park in Zemun highlights the company’s vision and commitment to positioning FORUM as a central hub for community, entertainment, and rich experiences. As a national retail brand, FORUM aims to create a unique environment and multifunctional space that expands the variety of offerings and activities for all visitors.

FORUM retail locations are also known for their signature interior design, which reinforces a unified brand identity across all current and future sites.

“We are pleased to announce the rebranding of our second retail property under the FORUM name. In the coming period, FORUM will host numerous exciting promotions, exclusive deals, and events aimed at providing visitors with memorable experiences and premium offerings. Forum Park will continue the tradition of organizing Black Friday with attractive deals and special gifts for all our guests. We are thrilled to expand the FORUM family and confident that we will continue growing our retail network and brand in the future,” said Tomislav Savić, Retail Director at Marera Properties.

Follow FORUM:

Website: forumshoppingcenter / zemunpark
Facebook: @forumnis / @zemunpark
Instagram: @forumshoppingcenter / @zemunpark