Forbes.com Spotlights Albaniaâs Architectural Rise at Inaugural Bread & Heart Festival in Tirana
Published on 08/07/2025 at 17:59 | businesswire.comSetting the stage in an inspiring keynote address, Prime Minister Rama emphasized architectureâs deeper cultural and civic responsibilities, stating, âWe are here to place a bold bet on architecture as a catalyst in a democratic process where individuals and communities must constantly negotiate and renegotiate their relationship, both territorial and spiritual, by reflecting on the past and learning how to face the future.â
This vision is fast becoming reality with the cityâs skyline being reshaped by high-profile projects from acclaimed international studios, including Portugalâs OODA, Italyâs Stefano Boeri Architetti, and Brussels-based collective 51N4E. These projects mark the arrival of a true luxury real estate market in the countryâs capital.
Forbes.com captured the spirit of this transformation in its coverage, reporting, âSome have certainly let their imaginations run wild with their towersâmost of which are located around the New Boulevard, the huge, newly landscaped linear park that cuts through the heart of the city, and soon to be home to the capitalâs first real luxury apartments, A-class office space, upmarket retail and global hotel brands.â
Within the Forbes.com article, Ilda Zaloshnja, founder and CEO of Capital Point | Forbes Global Properties, reflected on the rapid evolution.
âShe, for one, is thrilled about Tiranaâs transformation. Given the cityâs lack of a luxury real estate market until now, âit has sometimes been a struggle to find properties to list,â she says. With the new high-rise apartments on offer, investorsâso far, mainly locals and Albanians living overseasâare paying prices that would have been inconceivable just five years ago. And thatâs before they are even built.â
Brandan Mativi, founder of Capital Point | Forbes Global Properties, underscored the momentum behind Tiranaâs development boom, telling Forbes.com: âSince Ramaâs recent election win, all the big boys are shaking hands with Albania now. Thatâs why Tirana is being built. When I moved here from the United States eight years ago, there were buildings without windows in the city center. In five years, there will be 15 skyscrapers.â
In the Real Estate Corner, hosted by Capital Point | Forbes Global Properties, local and international voices engaged in focused discussions around development trends and the many ways design can elevate both value and livability. Simultaneously, the firmâs Media Corner welcomed global journalists and architects into direct dialogue about the countryâs potential.
Martin Sobota of CITYFĂRSTER remarked, âSome time ago, we had the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister, who at the time was serving as the Mayor of Tirana, and he shared his vision of transforming the city into a modern European capital. What youâre seeing now is the realization of that vision. Tirana has truly become a real estate hotspotâa creative laboratory where we can test ideas, push boundaries, and innovate with sustainability in mind.â
âPrime Minister Edi Rama, being an artist himself, played a pivotal role in allowing this wave of creativity to flourish. He invited architects and gave them the freedom and space to create,â said Marc Joubert of JA Joubert Architecture. âAlbanian architects who studied abroad came back with new knowledge, collaborated with international studios, and kept raising the bar. Design and construction here have developed into something truly unique.â
âThis is just the beginning,â said Zaloshnja. âWe are excited about Albaniaâs continued growth as a global beacon of innovative architecture and sustainable development. Capital Point | Forbes Global Properties remains committed to advancing this creative ecosystem and supporting visionary projects that enhance our cities.â
About Capital Point | Forbes Global Properties
Founded in 2009, Capital Point is Albaniaâs leading real estate firm exclusively dedicated to the ultra-luxury market. With a focus on high-end coastal properties and premier developments, the company has become synonymous with innovation, discretion, and high-touch service. At the helm is founder and CEO Ilda Zaloshnja, a trailblazer in Albaniaâs property sector and Vice President of the National Albanian Real Estate Association. Drawing from more than two decades of experience, Ilda has played a pivotal role in aligning the countryâs real estate practices with international standards through affiliations with globally respected trade organizations such as the National Association of Realtors in the United States and the European Association Of Real Estate Professions.
About Forbes Global Properties
Led by the worldâs foremost independent residential brokers and industry veterans, Forbes Global Properties is the exclusive real estate partner of Forbes. Our members connect discerning buyers and sellers of the most exceptional properties worldwide. Leveraging Forbesâs worldwide reach and digital monthly audience of more than 167 million, our listings tell the stories that make our properties unique. Established in 2020, our invitation-only network spans more than 600 locations and comprises over 20,000 property experts across the U.S., Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, the Middle East, New Zealand, and Europe. For more information, visit forbesglobalproperties.com.
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