A modern city center taking shape on the banks of the Sava River is changing the pulse of Serbia’s capital Belgrade, and it’s doing so with Holcim’s energy-efficient and resilient solutions inside.
Belgrade Waterfront is one of the most significant urban development projects in the region – and the second-largest mixed-use complex being built in Europe. With a long-term vision to reshape and modernize Serbia’s capital, the project brings together residential living, business, culture, recreation, to transform everyday urban life.
As a trusted partner, Holcim supplied a wide range of high-value branded solutions including ECOPact, Ytong, Silka, Multipor and Zinco, bringing sustainability, energy efficiency and resilience to construct Belgrade Waterfront.
The Vision
Belgrade Waterfront is envisioned as a city within a city that transforms 1.42 million m² along the Sava River and changes how people in the city live, work, learn and play.
The project wasn’t just about building modern apartments and commercial spaces. It was also about improving public spaces and reclaiming the river front.
This required engineering the 2-kilometer Sava Promenade, integrating complex stormwater management to mitigate the risk of flooding, and creating new green spaces to bring nature into the city.
A major part of the new riverfront, Sava Park is one of the largest green oases in Belgrade with generous spaces for walking, cycling and other outdoor activities.
The Solutions
For Belgrade Waterfront, integrating sustainable, energy-efficient and resilient solutions into their projects supports the company’s long-term sustainability goals.
Holcim’s solutions addressed these needs, ensuring the project meets the highest technical standards, and also stands out as an icon of architectural design and sustainability.
At 168 meters high, Kula Belgrade is the centerpiece of the development and is the tallest building in the West Balkans. Designed by world renowned architecture firm SOM, the tower – with its luxury hotel and 220 apartments – has Ytong, Silka and Zinco inside.
Elsewhere, Belgrade Waterfront residential buildings including BW Victoria, Sole, Scala and Libera were built with ECOPact, Ytong and Silka, while BW Aurora, Arcadia, Vista and Parkview have Ytong, Silka and Multipor inside. The stunning new Ložionica culture and arts center was built with ECOPact.
ECOPact low-carbon concrete reduces the embodied carbon of buildings, infrastructure and homes by at least 30% without offsets. It provides the sustainable structural backbone for many parts of the Belgrade Waterfront project.
These custom, innovative mixes are officially certified with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), ensuring their transparency and verifying the environmental performance.
Energy efficiency in Kula Belgrade and other Belgrade Waterfront buildings is driven by Ytong autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC), which functions as a lightweight “white block” alternative to traditional masonry.
Ytong contains millions of tiny air-filled pores that provide natural thermal insulation. High dimensional accuracy and unique cutting properties allow for precise on-site shaping, which minimizes material waste, shortens construction cycles, and creates a durable, fire-resistant foundation.
Kula Belgrade and other buildings in the project – use high-density Silka calcium-silicate units that are specifically engineered to provide exceptional load-bearing capacity, even in slim structures.
Made from lime, sand and water, Silka blocks act as an effective acoustic barrier, eliminating noise transfer between apartments, corridors, and through facade walls, ensuring peaceful environments in modern city landmarks.
Multipor mineral insulation panels provide a high-performance, non-structural solution for ceiling and facade insulation in many Belgrade Waterfront buildings.
These lightweight, fiber-free panels are vapor-permeable and capillary-active, preventing moisture buildup and mold growth without use of plastics. They are easy to install onsite, which streamlines the construction process, optimize long-term energy performance, and are 100% recyclable.
Advanced Zinco green roofing systems helped bring nature into Belgrade, protect against flood risks and create vibrant green spaces for people.
A range of different Zinco drainage elements including Floradrain® provided a reliable base for the dynamic public green space at the iconic Kula Tower, as well as above ground areas totaling 4 775 m².
Customer perspective
“Integrating energy-efficient, resilient solutions into our projects supports our long-term sustainability goals. As a trusted partner, Holcim supplied Belgrade Waterfront with high-value solutions from ECOPact, Ytong, Silka, Multipor, and Zinco.”
Ivana Tadić, Senior Development Manager at Belgrade Waterfront
The Icon
Today, Belgrade Waterfront is one of the region’s most impressive developments and a prime example of successful urban regeneration. With cutting-edge innovation and sustainable development at its core, it is helping transform social and economic life both in Belgrade and in surrounding communities.
Galerija Shopping Mall, the largest shopping mall in Southeastern Europe, features over 300 retail stores, entertainment venues, and a cinema. Various other amenities such as restaurants, schools, and the new Sava Park that bring over 113 000 m² of green space into the city – making Belgrade Waterfront an icon of urban living.
Belgrade is growing, and this landmark project is energizing the city. Holcim is helping deliver the sustainable housing, commerce and leisure that the city needs to revitalize its urban landscape and people’s quality of life. Both now and for generations to come.
Holcim perspective
“Belgrade Waterfront marks a turning point for the Serbian construction industry, showing how urban transformation is possible on a completely new scale. Holcim Serbia, with solutions such as ECOPact low-carbon concrete, contributed to reducing the environmental footprint of the build, while fulfilling world-class engineering standards.”
Vitor Antić, Ready-Mix Manager at Holcim Serbia
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