The former Block, once the most popular area for bars and nightlife, is being transformed into a space dominated by towers. One of them is "The One", a 10-story designed "not for everyone" with the price exceeding €4,500 per square meter. This urban transformation is redimensioning the future of the area, provoking discussion not only about the source of money, but also the disappearance of historical memory and social impacts.
"The One" is being built at the intersection of "Vaso Pasha" and "Brigada VIII" streets, the most coveted area of the former Block. With permission provided by the government in March 2022, the building is being developed by the companies "Texas Development" and "Daton" owned by the brothers Alban, Andi and Olsi Eftimi (Eftimi), as well as Arjan (Orion) Cenalla.
The Eftimi brothers also own the "Atelier 4" studio, which designed "The One" and at least three other towers in the former Block: the 9-story one on "Moskat Street" and the two 11-story ones on "Nikolla Tupe Street" and "Sami Frashëri".
Conceived for "housing and services", the building contains modern architectural elements that follow a philosophy of "geometric duality", reflecting the style previously applied to the Credins Bank headquarters building at the next intersection, a building also designed – as a local studio – by “Atelier 4” (2007-2016).
In the last decade, at least ten towers have radically changed the characteristics of the area of the former Block, replacing villas, which with the change of regime turned into popular bars. "The One" project is occupying the place of a three-story building where the bars "Raum" and "Tribeca" were located before, very frequent places of night life in Tirana.
The project is thus following the usual development model that favors exclusive and vertical construction. From a residential area with the main function of housing or recreation, the former Block is turning into a luxurious urban center with a high concentration of offices and services, raising concerns about traffic and the lack of public spaces.
In this transformation, "The One" stands as an example of the concentration of luxury projects, where the expensiveness and the impossibility of accessing these spaces by the majority of citizens will further deepen social divisions.
Genesis from a design studio
"Atelier 4" is one of the most popular studios in the design of public and private buildings in Albania.
The studio was officially opened in 2003 by the Eftimi family, known for the academic contributions in hydro-geology, urban planning and architecture of the couple Romeo and Tamara Gjoka-Eftimi, the latter former rector of the Polytechnic University of Tirana (UPT, 1997-2003 ).
From the start, their partner it was Altin Premti, a former student of UPT, friend of the sons of the family. The eldest, Albani, specialized in France and Italy, joined the group after an experience at the head of the Urban Planning department during Edi Rama's first term as head of the Tirana Municipality (2000-2011).
The contact with what later became the most powerful politician in the last 25 years and the strong expertise guaranteed by academics Romeo and Tamara Eftimi gave way to the success of the "Atelier 4" studio, which thanks to collaborations with foreign studios, offered studies and multiple designs.
After 20 years in the market, the name "Atelier 4" is associated with dozens of public and private projects such as residences, villas, resorts, but also kindergartens, schools, hospitals, or major projects such as airports and stadiums.
Its portfolio includes restoration projects such as: TID Vlora, Hotel Dajti, Ethnographic Museum of Kruja and Mosaic of the National Museum.
"Atelier 4" turns out to be a designer of hospitals Pediatrics, Emergency and Cardiology at QSUT, also at the hospital Lac, Fier and Kruje. Similar to the local stadium design studio Loro Borici, or Elbasan Arena or and Kukes Airport.
But among the most talked about projects are New Bazaar, ArTurbina, Theater of Opera and Ballet and Credins Bank Head Office.
At the same time, "Atelier 4" has enjoyed cooperation with international studios such as Bolles+Wilson te tower behind the 15-story in the center, 51N4E to Hotel Plaza also in center, Coop Himmelb(I)au in two towers 21-22 floors that are expected to be built in Vlora and recently with NOA Architects in the concept of a tower presented as "the vertical village” planned to be erected in the Commune of Paris.
From designers to construction investors
The Eftimi brothers are returning to "strong players" of the construction sector, turning their architecture venture into a closed cycle, as from 2019 they are also construction investors. The leader in the enterprise seems to be Albani.
In January 2019, Alban Eftimi founded "Texas Development" and a year later he shared the venture with brothers Olsi and Andi. At the same time, it reorganized the business portfolio by transferring its shares to "Atelier 4" (60%) and "Texas Development" (80%) under the umbrella of "Zurich Investment Group" established in 2021.
Together with Altin Premti - partner in "Atelier 4", - the group results in business relations with Armand Metani and Orion Cenalla in "Futuris Gen", "Oreo & Tony" and "Daton".
Except for the "Atelier 4" studio, all the companies of the Eftimi brothers result in losses. However, this has not prevented them from continuing their business as builders, as the sector operates mainly with pre-purchase – so-called air sales – sub-contracting and clearing works.
In the only declared balance sheet (year 2022), "Texas Development" declares about €170 thousand losses and about €8.3 million of capital from borrowing or prepayments of orders.
"The One" project in the former Block is the sixth project that "Texas Development" and its partners are currently developing, while they are still waiting for permits to develop three more projects.
Projects under development by "Texas Development" and partners:
- Rosé Residence - 9-storey building "Emin Duraku Street"
- South Residence - 9-storey building "Gjik Kuqali Street"
- Galeria Roma - 9-storey building "Rruga Kavajës"
- Lake Diamond Villas & Residences - residential block of villas, "Mustafa Xhabrahimi Street" (Dry Lake)
- The One - 10-storey building "Rruga Vaso Pasha"
- Unico Residence - 11-storey building "Nikolla Tupe Street"
Pending projects from "Texas Development":
- Puzzle Tower - 19-story tower "Medar Shtylla Street"
- Lake Diamond Tower - 28-story tower "Kristo Luarasi Street"
- Aquazzura Tower – no details yet, advertised as "the first tower in the south of Albania" (Vlora)
Erblin Vukaj has completed his studies in “Communication Sciences” and further mastered (MSc) in “European and International Journalism” at the University of Tirana. Since 2012, Vukaj has been working as a professional journalist, gaining experience in online media, print media, radio and television. He has covered various issues such as current affairs, health, environment and sports. In parallel, he has led and been involved in several research projects on the communist past in Albania.
