GTC X IS A NEW LANDMARK IN THE SERBIAN SILICON VALLEY

GREEN BUILDING

GTC X IS A NEW LANDMARK IN THE SERBIAN SILICON VALLEY

The new GTC office building is ready to impress its first tenants with its design, functionality, and up-to-date green standards. We spoke to Milica Nestorović, Leasing and Marketing Director at GTC, about the applied sustainable solutions and all the benefits they will provide the tenants

By:

JOVANA NIKOLIĆ

Photo:

GTC

MILICA NESTOROVIĆ,

Leasing and Marketing Director, GTC

A

s one of the market leaders in commercial, business, and residential real estate in Central and Eastern Europe and a pioneer in office design, GTC makes a breakthrough with each new project. We didn’t expect anything less with the latest one realized, the GTC X new office building, which again confirmed that GTC knows how to meet the new generation’s needs and strict corporate standards. In an interview for our magazine, Milica Nestorović, Leasing and Marketing Director at GTC, explains how innovative the building is and how comfortable and inspiring the work environment will be for its future tenants.

Just as it was planned and announced at the beginning of construction, the office building GTC X was completed in September this year, and it will welcome the first tenants already in October. How much of a challenge was it to meet the deadlines and realize such a demanding project in a year and a half, especially in the circumstances of the global crisis that hit the construction sector hard?

— When you have a product of high quality, spectacular design, and great functionality, the results can not be missed, especially if a renowned developer stands behind it. It was crucial to choose the right time to start the construction. Market conditions weren’t so favorable for investors during the last two years, but experience, know-how, and dedication brought us to realization.

The new office space, with an area of 17,000 m2, features a contemporary and authentic design, with the idea of being an inspiring work environment for companies for which the work space is an important factor for the balance between work and creative breaks. With this, GTC X practically continues the tradition of your business

facilities, which were nicknamed the Serbian Silicon Valley. What makes this building different? — GTC has always been a pioneer in office design. Each new project was a complete innovation, not only in architecture but also in quality standards. We were able to recognize and meet the new generation’s needs and strict corporate standards. GTC X is a new landmark in the Serbian Silicon Valley. The curved, floor-to-ceiling glass façade gives the building a special feature that you need to have today. This double-height lobby area with a wall screen follows this futuristic design idea and still gives tenants a pleasant rest area. However, we wanted to make this future cozy. The building is surrounded by a retro brick sidewalk, which turned out to be a perfect match. Greenery and balconies have become a distinguishing feature of GTC projects, and we don’t give up on that on GTC X either. Another important factor for companies is a functional floor plate. In this X-shaped building with a 2.000 sqm floor plate, tenants have maximum use of space with natural light in all parts of the office and no unused space.

Like all previous projects of the GTC company, the GTC X facility was designed and built in line with the green standards of the LEED Gold certificate, which promises maximum energy efficiency and state-of-the-art technology. What would you highlight as this facility’s most significant application of sustainable solutions and how essential is the sustainability aspect currently to building owners and tenants?

— Sustainability and ESG indicators have become crucial in office selection. The impact of construction on the use of natural resources and human health is key to the success of the project. GTC projects are focused on these aspects at every stage of their life cycle, from the beginning of design, construction, maintenance, and up to renovation. This is what green construction is all about.

Building structure, orientation, materials used in construction, construction methods, facade, rational use of water, heating, ventilation, lighting systems, all determine how efficiently a building consumes energy. Glass makes every project more attractive, but the wrong choice of glass can lead to very high heating of the rooms and, therefore, more significant use of air conditioning. On the other hand, having enough daylight reduces the need to use electricity during the day, and the use of LED lighting drastically reduces consumption. Maintenance costs and energy used are more rational, projects are more attrac-

The curved, floor-to-ceiling glass façade gives the GTC X building a special feature

tive, and the high standards by which we are guided are becoming recognized by our tenants.

Last year, GTC sold 11 buildings within five business parks in Belgrade to the Hungarian investor Indotek Group, for 270 million euros, which is one of the largest real estate transactions in Central and Eastern Europe in recent years. You have just completed a new office building and are managing the Ada Mall shopping center. What are your future plans?

OFFICE BUILDINGS WITH THE GREATEST EMPHASIS ON SUSTAINABILITY WILL REMAIN OUR FOCUS IN SERBIA

Tenants will have maximum use of space with natural light in all parts of the office — The sale of all our office portfolio came at the right moment. We have completed our development cycle in Serbia and started a new chapter in this market. Office buildings with the greatest emphasis on sustainability will remain our focus in Serbia.

GTC Group is one of the market leaders in commercial, business, and residential real estate in Central and Eastern Europe. When you compare the situation and trends in all the markets where you operate, how do you see the further development of these three real estate segments in Belgrade and Serbia?

— The blooming trend of the real estate market will continue in all three segments. We are witnessing historical growth in the residential market without any indicators of slowing down next year. The industrial and logistics sector, although still young, is one of the fastest growing real estate segments in Serbia and it is expected to increase even more due to global trends. Unlike the office segment, which is strong only in Belgrade, both the residential and industrial sectors are expanding equally fast in other cities. The office pipeline and projects under construction show us a bright future in this segment, as well.