The future of the iconic building at Trg Politika 1, once home to the editorial office of Politika, the oldest daily newspaper in the Balkans, remains in question after Boban Rajić’s company, M29, recently acquired the property.
Since 2016, Politika’s editorial office has been operating from this 17-story building, which the media house lost due to unpaid debts. Now, Politika is renting space in its former headquarters. Following the sale, there are concerns about whether the building will continue to serve as the home of Politika journalists or if it will be repurposed for other uses.
Rajić, who purchased the building through his company, has reassured that the editorial office will remain at the building after its renovation. In his first interview about the purchase, he stated, “This building is one of the symbols of Belgrade… After the renovation, it will be an exclusive modern building that follows the latest architectural trends, providing comfort for everyone who works or stays there.” Rajić also emphasized plans to invest around 40 million euros into the building’s modernization, while noting that part of the space will continue to be used by Politika, with the rest being rented out.
Despite the ongoing uncertainty, Rajić made it clear that Politika’s journalists need not worry about being relocated, assuring that “there is no longer any fear that journalists of Politika will be left without the space in which they have worked for decades.”
While the timeline for the renovation remains unclear, the building’s current condition is poor, with significant damage recently caused to the fourth and fifth floors. These areas, which previously housed parts of the editorial office, are now unusable, prompting a temporary relocation of the staff to better-maintained floors.
As Politika celebrates its 120th anniversary, the building’s future, its ongoing role for the newspaper, and the scope of the planned renovation will remain a focal point for both the media house and Belgrade’s residents.
