GREEN ESCAPE GREEN OASIS OF NEW BELGRADE

GREEN BUILDING

MIRKO UROŠEVIĆ,

Owner and CEO, IMEL Group

GREEN ESCAPE: THE CROWN OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW, NEW BELGRADE

K3, the first building of the new Green Escape business complex, has just been completed and is ready for tenants. We talked to the owner and CEO of the company, Mirko Urošević, about its unique symbiosis of modern architecture and nature, as well as other iconic New Belgrade projects that have written the history of IMEL Group

By:

JOVANA NIKOLIĆ

Photo:

IMEL GROUP

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ver since the IMEL Group made preliminary design of the Bežanijska kosa settlement in the early 80s, the company has not stopped with its mission of an innovative approach to the development of New Belgrade, which they have just crowned with the first completed building of the new urban Green Escape business zone. What makes this complex unique, how innovative it is, what standard of office space it offers to future tenants, and what are the company’s further plans for the development of new, New Belgrade, Mirko Urošević, owner and CEO of IMEL Group, says in an interview for our magazine.

The opening of the K3 building, as part of the Green Escape project, was welcomed with great impatience – not only because every square meter of office space in New Belgrade is grabbed in advance, but because it is a technologically advanced building of contemporary architecture. What would you single out as the greatest qualities of this facility?

— As the initial part of the Green Escape business district, the K3 building was designed and carried out in such a way that it corresponds in all respects to modern business. Located in the greenery, it represents a unique symbiosis of modern architecture and nature, providing future users of the office space with comfort and functionality through a perfect combination of quality and carefully thought out design. High quality construction, technical systems according to the latest standards, predominantly glass surfaces on the facade and windows that open in all offices, as well as carefully designed additional facilities that will provide future company tenants with numerous benefits, were an imperative during the design phase.

What level of office space and supporting amenities may users of this facility anticipate?

— All business facilities within the complex are planned in class A. Respecting the highest standards and business principles, and thanks to decades of experience, we focused our attention on the improvement of technical systems, especially when it comes to the ventilation and airing systems of the building, emphasizing a healthier working environment. Given the various market demands and requirements as well as the altered circumstances of the previous years, this was one of our top priorities.

The flexibility of the business space, which can be altered and tailored to different stages and requirements of business operations, is more important than ever when it comes to choosing the ideal office space. Tenant companies have the option of organizing the work space in accordance with their needs and business development thanks to the flexible space organization option, which is available in the complex’s first phase and ranges in square footage from 505 m2 to 1,580 m2 on five floors, with a total area of 14,000 m2.

Green spaces and fountains will enable staff to take a break from work and enjoy the outdoors, while the spectacular entrance portal and lobby with a double floor height provide a notable effect.

The Green Escape project is most often presented as New Belgrade’s new business oasis. Can you give us some more information about the entire complex?

— Green Escape is a business complex located in New Belgrade, in block 51 (zone K), next to the M1 (E75) highway. It is in an excellent location, surrounded by greenery, on the edge of the urban zone, well connected by transport links to the city center, only 5.5 km away, and in the immediate vicinity of the airport – urban green environment.

Green Escape is a project that will become a synonym for a modern, contemporary, technologically advanced, but at the same time healthy, rational, sustainable work environment tailored to the modern man, which represents a step towards the future in the development of the business environment in our area – a “New, New Belgrade“.

The conceptual approach to the composition, landscaping and design of this space is reflected in the combination of greenery and natural organic materials, on the one hand, as well as the recognizable urban atmosphere of the Soho style, interpreted through the organization, form and materialization of open spaces and the facilities themselves that form this district – urban organic concept.

All three buildings in this complex are designed as modern, technologically advanced and functional business premises, which, within their capacities, can quite flexibly accommodate various program contents within the framework of commercial activities and meet all the specific requirements of future clients. In this way, the client gets a business premise tailored to his own needs – technology advanced tailor-made space.

What are the plans for the further development of the Green Escape project and what will the project ultimately offer when it is completed? — Green Escape is made up of three plots that are

designed for business and commercial use, in which the construction of multifunctional business facilities is planned, and which are fully equipped with infrastructure for these needs. The entire complex is being developed as a new business center, which offers many benefits and additional values compared to the standard offer of office space in Belgrade. The arrangement of this space is conceived as a new city business zone – a business district – with a wide range of offered content, which in addition to the business space itself within the three buildings, offers compatible hotel facilities, business apartments, conference rooms, offices for rent, a spa center with a swimming pool and all the accompanying facilities, sports facilities and fields, running tracks, babysitting services, shops and services, and more. The very ambiance and surroundings of this new business district represent a new city corner with a landscaped square, decorative greenery, water surfaces, fountains and lots of open and closed space for sitting, relaxing and informal business, which is in operation throughout the year – a new modern multifunctional business district.

After the K3 building is completed, we intend to complete the multifunctional K2 building in 2023. Within this building, we have plans for a four-star hotel, additional retail and catering spaces, and additional office space for rent. In the meantime, parallel negotiations are taking place with a reputable foreign company for the custom construction of a business building on plot K1.

ALL THREE BUILDINGS IN THE GREEN ESCAPE COMPLEX ARE DESIGNED AS MODERN, TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED AND FUNCTIONAL BUSINESS PREMISES THAT CAN MEET ALL THE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF CLIENTS

Both residential and commercial projects that have been completed by IMEL Group make up an exceptional portfolio. Which of your examples of both constructions would you say is the most illustrative?

Office building built for the HQ of Societe Generale, now OTP Bank Residential and business building, 48a Bulevar Zorana Djindjića

— Given that we treat every project with the same dedication, it is a pretty tough question, but I believe that when it comes to residential space, we can single out the building at 48a Bulevar Zorana Djindjića, which still stands as a benchmark after 16 years. Our Head office building at 2a Bulevar Zorana Djindjića, which stands as a sort of memorial to the growth of this boulevard, which we launched in the early 1990s, takes the top spot among office buildings. The first section of the boulevard was then constructed at IMEL’s initiative and expense; it is now known as New Belgrade’s main street.

The building and outfitting of facilities to meet the requirements of the expanding domestic IT sector is a unique aspect of your portfolio. How important is it to you that a part of your company deals with IT technology and offers services for developing software solutions?

— Cooperation with colleagues from our company’s IT sector is of great importance, both in the planning of new facilities, and in the provision of high-quality service in the matter of renting office space and providing accompanying services – services in daily business, but also in constant expansion, additional equipment and reorganization of space. It is very interesting that more than 60% of our tenants are from the IT industry, which, through the very rapid development of new technologies, sets new standards in terms of built-in systems, modularity, the required scalability of energy capacities and technical characteristics for each new project.

It is interesting that you carried out almost all the projects in New Belgrade, especially at Bežanijska Kosa. Why? What is so special and attractive about New Belgrade compared to the old part of the city?

— The answer to your question is defined by our favorite slogan, “New, New Belgrade“, which briefly describes the product of our work. From the very beginning, IMEL has been the initiator of new ideas for the development of the construction of New Belgrade. At the beginning of the 80s, we managed to convince the urban planners of the time to have the then imagined border - Tošin Bunar Street – be moved, when the first preliminary concept of the Bežanijska kosa settlement – “ Srem 51“ was developed. It was created by our experts, in cooperation with a large number of New Belgrade companies, which needed to solve the issue of quality housing for their employees. We are proud of the fact that we planned and designed the first phase of the realization of Bežanijska kosa, that is, some 2,000 units, which created the preconditions for further implementation, which began in the mid-80s and is still ongoing. Within the scope of this accomplishment, IMEL constructed several dozens of buildings, more than 150 residential units, two shopping malls and 18 business facilities at Bežanijska Kosa, according to the turnkey system. The Green Escape complex, within which we are opening the first completed building these days, represents the crown of development and the flagship of our rental portfolio.

The New Belgrade market gave us the chance to raise the standard through the planning and development of commercial and residential buildings in Block 21, which coincided with the completion of the Bežanijska kosa residential area and the business-commercial zone of Block 51. As a result, we left behind a number of reference buildings that are still significant landmarks in this area today. Realizing the need to improve the commercial supply in the area of New Belgrade, we initiat-

Head office building of IMEL Group

WE ARE PROUD OF THE FACT THAT OUR NAME HAS BEEN USED AS A SYNONYM FOR QUALITY CONSTRUCTION FOR FIVE DECADES

ed the idea and built several mini-shopping centers in Block 45, Block 70, Block 30 and Block 3, as well as the Greek-Cypriot center in Block 24, Shopping Center Perper in Block 1, etc.

Few domestic companies have endured and grown into major players over the most difficult decades of our market’s transition, but IMEL Group has done so during the past 40 years. What is your formula for success, and how do you handle competitive foreign investors?

— Through our business, we work to ensure that our decades-old domestic business strategy is not jeopardized by the adoption of new business trends. At the same time, we constantly seek out fresh information and assist emerging young forces because the future is in their capable hands. We are proud of the fact that within the company we have several examples of employees who come from the same family but of different generations, and we look forward to the third generation joining and bringing more new ideas and energy. We believe that it is necessary to maintain tradition and reputation, and we are proud of the fact that our name has been used as a synonym for quality construction for five decades. We respect our environment, and we especially respect our competition – foreign investors, we try to learn new knowledge from them through every project – theirs or ours.

Recent crises have had a significant impact on the construction and real estate markets. How did you manage this year’s supply and pricing of building materials?

— I believe that in order to solve these issues, careful planning, precise forecasting of requirements, quantities, and deadlines, as well as prompt procurement – which remained possible thanks to the network of subcontracting businesses we have successfully worked with for years – are essential.

How do you see the further development of the real estate market?

— We anticipate that the recent trend of improving the business climate for investors will continue on our market, and that Belgrade will continue to receive more projects of this quality.