Oppenheim Architecture has officially broken ground on the New Boulevard Tower, a striking 38-story residential building that will become one of Albania's tallest structures. Located at the northern edge of Tirana's historic center, this ambitious project represents a significant milestone in the country's evolving architectural landscape.
The tower's strategic positioning anchors a new public plaza that serves as a central gathering point, connecting three of the city's most important spatial elements: the park, the boulevard, and the square. This thoughtful urban planning approach creates a seamless integration between the high-rise development and the surrounding urban fabric.
The building's exterior showcases a distinctive cast-in-place concrete facade that incorporates textures and pigments carefully selected to complement Tirana's existing architectural character. One of the tower's most notable features is its wraparound balconies, which extend around each apartment unit to provide residents with panoramic views of the cityscape below.
The upper portion of the tower has been designed with luxury in mind, featuring three penthouse floors specifically oriented toward the future park development. These premium residential units will offer residents exclusive access to some of the best views and amenities the building has to offer.
The project is being spearheaded by Oppenheim Architecture's Tirana studio, where a dedicated team of local architects and planners has been actively contributing to Albania's rapidly changing built environment. This local approach ensures that the New Boulevard Tower continues the firm's commitment to creating architecture that responds to and reflects the specific context of its location.
The tower rises along Northern Boulevard, a newly developed transportation corridor that plays a central role in Tirana's ongoing transformation toward more sustainable and pedestrian-friendly urban planning. As part of a comprehensive long-term citywide strategy, more than 65 percent of the redesigned urban core is being dedicated to pedestrian and bicycle traffic, marking a significant shift away from car-centric development.
Rather than simply dominating the skyline, the tower's role in this urban transition focuses on creating meaningful connections between different layers of city life. The building successfully links public infrastructure with residential programming while balancing open space requirements with vertical density needs.
At street level, the plaza provides a shared public space where different types of urban movement naturally converge and overlap. This design philosophy prioritizes space for everyday use rather than formal, programmed activities, creating a more organic and flexible urban environment.
"This is one of many projects we are delivering in Albania," explains Beat Huesler, the firm's Europe Director. "We're working from our Tirana studio to support the city's evolution through architecture that reflects place and community."
The New Boulevard Tower also incorporates comprehensive environmental systems that align with Tirana's broader ecological goals and sustainability initiatives. These green features include extensive green roofs that help manage stormwater and provide additional green space, energy-efficient infrastructure throughout the building, and passive design strategies that reduce the structure's overall environmental impact.
While these environmental elements may appear relatively modest from the outside, they represent a significant shift in how private development projects are being aligned with public sustainability objectives throughout the city. This approach demonstrates a growing commitment to responsible development that benefits both residents and the broader community.
The 38-story residential building will stand among the tallest structures in Albania when completed, serving as a landmark for the capital city. The wraparound balconies that characterize each apartment unit ensure that residents will have access to expansive views over the city, while the cast-in-place concrete facade creates a distinctive architectural presence that respects the local context while adding a contemporary element to Tirana's evolving skyline.
This project represents more than just another high-rise development; it embodies a thoughtful approach to urban growth that balances density with livability, private development with public benefit, and contemporary design with respect for local architectural traditions.
