The “5 Maji” residential complex in Tirana is one of the largest construction projects, where one of the most modern urban, economic and social  centres is being built in Albania, including a 3500-apartment complex for over 11,000 residents, parking and service spaces for each housing unit, 5 public buildings, three educational facilities, one vocational education school, religious buildings, as well as the French  higher education coding school “ECOLE 42”.

Designed by one of the world’s leading architects Stefano Boeri, the new residential neighbourhood will welcome by end of this year the initial batch of 300 families that lost their homes in the devastating earthquake on November 26, 2019.

Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj, and the State Minister for Reconstruction Arben Ahmetaj, toured the construction site to closely inspect the project implementation on the ground.

“Work has kicked off to construct the infrastructure. The expropriation process is about to complete and the road leading to the new residential complex is set to open next week. The project includes construction of a huge roundabout linking this road to the perpendicular one, stretching to the Bregu i Lumit neighbourhood and that will eventually join the ring road by a bridge,” Tirana Mayor Veliaj explained, adding that parking spaces will be available to every family residing in the new complex.

“Each building features 75 apartments and 75 parking places. Whoever deciding to reside here will be granted also a parking place, which they have been lacking when living in the old prefabricated apartment buildings,” he said.

The new residential complex features also a number of public institutions, as well as a mosque and a church.

“The next block will also house the public buildings, including the integrated office building of the tax and customs administrations, two schools buildings, with one of them being constructed through contribution provided by the government of Greece, and the IT building, a contribution by the Italian government,” Reconstruction Minister Ahmetaj said.

Tirana Mayor added that housing the quake-affected families is a top priority, while construction of the office buildings and the service facilities will take more time.

The Premier Edi Rama inspected the ongoing work on construction of several apartments. The project implementation engineer explained that work is currently underway to install the electrical and water supply systems and work to complete entire exterior façade is set to kick off in September.