The strange pair by the river
If you walk along the MoraÄŤa river in Podgorica you will notice a curious sight. A low stone building from the 1960s sits calmly on the riverbank. Behind it rises a tall glass tower that looks as if it landed there by accident. Many visitors assume they belong together. They do not. They simply share the same view and pretend to get along.
The low building is Hotel Podgorica. The tall one is the BEMAX Tower. They are neighbours but not relatives. From some angles the tower looks like it is growing out of the hotel which must be slightly annoying for the hotel but it handles it with dignity.
Hotel Podgorica and its modernist charm
Hotel Podgorica was built in the 1960s. It is a typical example of Yugoslav modernism. The architect Svetlana Kana Radević designed it with local stone and soft curves. The building blends into the riverbank instead of fighting it. It feels organic and calm. It is the kind of architecture that does not shout for attention.
The hotel has hosted countless events and guests over the decades. It has seen Podgorica change from a quiet town into a lively capital. Through all of this it kept its original character. The stone façade and the curved terraces still look elegant. It is one of the most recognisable buildings in the city.
The BEMAX Tower and its glass confidence
Behind the hotel stands the BEMAX Tower. It is tall, shiny and very pleased with itself. The tower is a modern office building with a glass façade that reflects the sky, the river and occasionally confused tourists. The BEMAX logo sits proudly at the top. Sometimes a huge Montenegro flag waves from the roof just in case anyone missed the point.
The tower is a symbol of the new Podgorica. It represents business, development and the city’s ambition to look modern. It is the complete opposite of the soft stone curves of Hotel Podgorica. Yet the contrast is strangely interesting. Old meets new. Stone meets glass.
A visual illusion from the river
If you walk along the riverside path you might think the tower is part of the hotel. The two buildings line up perfectly from certain angles. The tower rises behind the hotel like an oversized extension that someone forgot to mention in the brochure. In reality they are completely separate structures.
A place where architecture meets nature
Both buildings enjoy one of the best locations in Podgorica. They stand above the MoraÄŤa river which is famous for its bright turquoise colour. The riverbank is lined with trees and walking paths. The view from the hotel terrace is peaceful. The view from the tower is dramatic. You can see the river, the bridges and the hills in the distance.
The contrast between nature and architecture is striking. The soft curves of Hotel Podgorica blend into the landscape. The glass tower reflects it. Together they create a scene that is far more interesting than either building alone.
The two buildings tell the story of Podgorica in one single view. A city with history and a city with plans. A city that keeps its past but also builds its future. And sometimes that future comes in the form of a tall glass tower that looks like it is trying to steal the spotlight.
