Kalemegdan business centre creates a legacy for the future
At the foot of the Belgrade Fortress, where the spirit of the old town still lingers, stands the Kalemegdan Business Centre. Once a textile factory — abandoned and forgotten after the company shut down — the building has been carefully revitalised into a modern office facility that radiates elegance, functionality, and contemporary design. It is a place that preserves the character of another time while meeting the highest demands of today’s business world, offering many companies the ideal environment to pursue growth, success, and get inspired.
The history of this landmark structure stretches back to the early days of Belgrade’s industrial development. Built in 1931 as the “BEKO” textile factory, the building’s author remains unknown, yet its striking appearance tells the story of the monumental and purposeful architecture of the interwar industrial era. For decades, this imposing and massive structure embodied the industrial spirit of Belgrade’s past.
Years after it lost its original function, the building gradually succumbed to the ravages of time. A key turning point came in 2018, when Marera Properties led a comprehensive reconstruction project and redefined the structure’s purpose. The result is today’s Kalemegdan Business Centre—a modern Class A office complex spanning seven floors and covering a total area of 17,000 square meters.
To ensure the success of the revitalisation, it was essential to preserve the building’s original character and its historical and architectural value while also adapting it to the needs of the contemporary business community. The location itself posed a particular challenge—being in the immediate vicinity of the Belgrade Fortress required strict compliance with high cultural heritage protection standards. In addition, the building’s structural constraints presented a range of technical challenges. Despite these, the project succeeded in incorporating all modern infrastructure systems, including power sourced from renewable energy, significantly reducing the building’s carbon footprint.
The classicist elements of the façade were preserved to maintain harmony with the historic aesthetic of the Dorćol neighbourhood. Once an industrial hall, the interior has been reimagined into a space comprising private offices, coworking zones, and conference facilities — all executed to Class A standards. Stylistically striking and designed for maximum functionality, the space enables high productivity for the wide variety of businesses that now call it home.
One of the reconstruction’s standout features is the glass annexe—a light, respectful addition that honours the proportions of the original building. Stretching along the top of the structure is a spacious rooftop terrace offering sweeping views of the fortress, rivers, and riverbanks.
Despite the many challenges the building has faced over nearly a century, today the Kalemegdan Business Centre stands as a successful example of how historical industrial structures can be redefined and elevated in meaning for both the business and local communities and the city’s heritage. Numerous respected companies from some of the most progressive industries have established themselves here, finding in Kalemegdan Business Centre a dynamic, inspiring work environment ideal for networking, collaboration, and growth. Moreover, the revived micro-location has become a driver of local economic development, supported daily by more than 1,500 employees working at one of the city’s most prestigious business addresses.
In just seven years of operation, Marera Properties has successfully revitalised 100,000 square meters of office space in central Belgrade. This achievement has positioned the company as a leader in brownfield office projects, actively contributing to the city’s urban renewal. Kalemegdan Business Centre is a key example of this strategy, showing how cultural heritage can be successfully integrated into a contemporary business context, shaping a new business culture for the city.
All photos: Marera Properties