West 65 Tower stands as a luxurious residential skyscraper within Belgrade’s Novi Beograd municipality, specifically situated in Block 65 at Omladinskih brigada 86. Its impressive height of 140 meters (459 feet) makes it a defining element of the city’s skyline. It briefly held the title of Serbia’s tallest building, ending the four-decade reign of the iconic brutalist-style Genex Tower in 2021, only to be surpassed by the Belgrade Tower in 2022.
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About West 65 Complex
The West 65 Tower is the centerpiece of the expansive West 65 Complex, which encompasses 11 six-story residential buildings and a shopping mall. Its location benefits from a well-developed traffic infrastructure and an efficient public transportation network, ensuring swift and easy access to every corner of the city.
This modern and impeccably maintained neighborhood in Belgrade is known for its high-end status. The commercial section of the complex comprises retail shops situated on the ground floor of the residential buildings, along with a contemporary shopping center. Embracing the concept of pedestrian zones, this area features a supermarket, specialty stores, retail shops, catering and service facilities, as well as entertainment options for children, teenagers, and adults alike.
Notably, tennis legend Novak Djokovic is said to own a penthouse in this complex, and in December 2021, he was even spotted playing tennis on the street outside the West 65 Tower.
West 65 Tower Architecture
The architectural design of West 65 Tower was a collaboration between Fletcher Priest from London and the team of architects from PSP Farman. The construction was executed by PFB, with PSP Farman as the project’s investor, also backing the entire West 65 residential and commercial complex. For the development of the West 65 project, the investor employed cutting-edge project management techniques, utilizing their globally acclaimed, state-of-the-art software, BEXEL.
Construction of the West 65 Tower began in 2018. In April 2021, the installation of the glass facade was completed, and later that year, the first residents began moving in.
West 65 Tower Height and Features
As mentioned earlier, the West 65 Tower stands at a height of 140 meters, making it one of the tallest buildings in Belgrade. The tower consists of 40 floors and is primarily used for residential purposes, offering luxurious apartments with breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding area.
West 65 Tower covers approximately 43,000 square meters, including an underground garage for residents with 324 parking spaces. There are 294 apartments of various structures: from studios of 38 square meters, through three-bedroom apartments of 94 square meters, all the way to penthouses ranging from 202 to 410 square meters.
West 65 Tower Advertized Amenities
The luxurious building was advertized as offering residents access to a gym, spa center, and a 20-meter swimming pool with thermal water at 30 degrees Celsius. However, not all of these amenities are currently available (see the Controversy section below). The complex features a shopping mall, providing convenient access to shops, restaurants, and services for residents.
Controversy and Unsatisfied Residents
Despite winning awards for its design, the building echoes the issues seen in previous high-rise residential buildings in Belgrade. These problems include elevator capacity and maintenance, the quality of the structure’s installations, the use of lower-quality materials for cost-cutting purposes, and inadequate thermal and sound insulation.
Despite the high prices, which can reach up to 7,000 €/m2, a significant sum by Serbian standards, residents are encountering numerous challenges. Although the project was marketed to include a swimming pool, spa, gym, and other luxury amenities, none of these were ultimately constructed.
Beyond these shortcomings, residents have faced additional challenges. Window breakage, floods, raised flooring, and pipe leaks have been reported. Facade washing has been irregular, resulting in windows obscured by rain, bird droppings, and insects, depriving residents of the “most beautiful view in the city.” Garage access has been problematic, and the lack of hallway air conditioning in a building that significantly heats up due to its glass facade has been surprising. Cooling apartments that are entirely glass has been difficult and costly due to an inefficient cooling system.
Furthermore, the promised rooftop park next to the West 65 Mall, intended as an essential green space for the block, has not been realized.
Conclusion
The West 65 Tower is not just a symbol of modern architecture in Belgrade; it also represents the city’s ongoing transformation and development. As Belgrade continues to grow and develop, the West 65 Tower is expected to remain a key feature of the city’s skyline. Despite numerous controversies and unsatisfied residents, its prime location and high-end status make it a desirable place to own a property in Belgrade.
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