History
The Genex Tower, officially known as the Western City Gate, is one of Serbia’s most recognisable examples of Brutalist architecture. Designed by Serbian architect Mihajlo Mitrović, the complex was built between 1970 and 1980 in New Belgrade, during the period of socialist Yugoslavia. Its striking design was intended to create a monumental gateway for visitors arriving in the city from the west.
beotura.
The building consists of two concrete towers of different heights, connected by a two-storey bridge near the top. One tower was designed for residential apartments, while the other served as the headquarters of Genex, a major Yugoslav foreign-trade company. The commercial tower was crowned by a circular revolving restaurant, a futuristic feature that became an important part of the building’s identity.
Following the decline and eventual bankruptcy of the Genex company, the commercial tower gradually fell into disrepair, while the residential tower continued to house occupants. The restaurant ceased operating in the late 1990s, and the building became an increasingly prominent symbol of Yugoslavia’s fading architectural legacy. In November 2021, the complex was officially designated a protected cultural monument, recognising its architectural and historical significance.
Gradnja.
Genex Tower remains an iconic landmark of Belgrade, admired for its imposing concrete structure and distinctive silhouette. Despite its deteriorating condition and uncertain future, it stands as a powerful reminder of Yugoslavia’s architectural ambition and the bold modernist vision that shaped New Belgrade.
