The Serbian parliament has passed a special law that accelerates preparations for the development of the site of the former UNA General Staff complex in the centre of Belgrade, damaged by NATO strikes in 1999, the Serbian Economist reports. The developer is Affinity Global Development, an investment company founded by US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
The approximately $500m project will include a hotel, apartments, offices and retail space, as well as a memorial space for the victims of the bombings.
A 99-year lease agreement for the site with the Serbian government was signed in May 2024. In November 2024, the site was stripped of its protected cultural heritage status, paving the way for the project. The adopted lex specialis allows for simpler and faster issuance of permits and other administrative procedures, the authorities said.
The opposition and relevant organisations have criticised the decision, citing the cultural value of the complex and legal risks. Europa Nostra included the General Staff in the 2025 list of the seven most vulnerable European heritage sites. Radio Liberty notes that the law passed with the ruling party’s votes, despite protests and investigations into possible falsification of the document used to remove the protection status.
Affinity Global Development’s public statements and official communications do not cite the hotel’s brand, number of rooms, number of floors, room capacity, car parking or exact commissioning dates. International agencies are limited to a description of the functional mix without specifications. When official materials on TEP and branding become available, the editorial staff of Serbian Economist will clarify the data.
The government promotes the project as an investment and revitalisation of Belgrade’s central location. Critics believe that the dismantling and new development will damage the modernist legacy of architect Nikola Dobrovic and the public memory of the 1999 events.