Jovan Radulović reveals how Pančevo fits into his business philosophy, which emphasises the importance of the three main factors in residential construction: location, location and location
Many Belgraders are buying apartments in Pančevo while their daily activities remain tied to Belgrade. The reasons are numerous: more affordable real estate prices, good transport connections, excellent urban planning and the availability of all necessary public facilities, writes Jovan Radulović, an expert who has over 30,000 square metres of real estate and 250 constructed housing units.
Just a century ago, Zemun and Belgrade were not only separate cities, but also belonged to different empires: with Zemun belonging to the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and Belgrade to the Ottoman Empire. The idea that they would one day function as a single entity was utterly unimaginable, yet the opposite is unimaginable today.
As the central parts of the city become denser and more traffic-congested, and more expensive, many citizens, and consequently investors, are turning to more distant neighbourhoods, traditionally less urbanised zones and nearby towns as attractive alternatives for living and doing business.
New residential neighbourhoods are emerging in cities like Pančevo, Obrenovac and Nova Pazova, offering apartments and houses at more affordable prices. Interestingly, the buyers of these apartments are mainly Belgraders or people whose work is tied to Belgrade.
IN RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS, LOCATION IS KEY
I had the opportunity to manage the realisation of several residential and commercial complexes in the Belgrade neighbourhoods of Vračar, Voždovac, Zemun and New Belgrade. We have completed over 30,000 square metres and 250 housing units. My business philosophy is that the three main factors in residential construction are location, location and location.
I work closely with urban planners, architects, engineers and construction companies to ensure that every project is completed on time and to the highest standards of quality.
When I received a proposal to invest in a property in Pančevo, I was concerned about the location’s attractiveness. However, we entered into our first project and completed it successfully. The satisfaction with that venture is evident from the fact that we currently have three new projects underway in Pančevo. The reason for this trend is clear: the merging of cities. Many Belgraders are buying apartments in Pančevo despite their daily activities remaining tied to Belgrade. The reasons are numerous: more affordable real estate prices, good transport connections, excellent urban planning and the availability of all necessary public facilities. Under current traffic conditions, it takes less time to reach Belgrade’s Republic Square from Pančevo than from neighbourhoods like Banjica, Banovo Brdo or Bežanija.
One of the main obstacles to Belgraders buying apartments in Pančevo was the standard of residential construction, with buyers from Belgrade accustomed to a higher level of fit out than was previously offered in Pančevo.
TOP QUALITY FIT OUT IS IMPERATIVE
The imperative of our business is top quality and modern fit out, innovative architectural solutions and the use of the latest technologies and materials. I work closely with urban planners, architects, engineers and construction companies to ensure that every project is completed on time and to the highest standards of quality.
Applying these business principles to the Pančevo market has yielded outstanding results. Customers are very satisfied and demand has exceeded our supply, proving this to be a successful formula! Every buyer purchasing a property wants security, reliability and quality. We have met our customers’ needs on these points.
We can now state unequivocally that the housing market in Belgrade and Pančevo functions as a single entity, indicating complete integration. It would not be surprising if, during the lifetime of children being born today, Pančevo becomes what Zemun already is — Belgrade’s greenest and most beautiful part.