Published: 24.11.2025.

Minister Branko Bačić – Vjesnik building to be demolished

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Today Minister of Construction Branko Bačić stated that the Vjesnik skyscraper will need to be demolished after the fire which engulfed it a week ago, and Mario Uroš from the Croatian Centre for Earthquake Engineering (HCPI) assessed it is necessary to do so as soon as possible.

HCPI’s report concludes that it is necessary to remove the skyscraper structure due to the risk of collapse, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets Bačić said following the meeting with representatives of the City of Zagreb, experts from the Croatian Centre for Earthquake Engineering, representatives of the State Attorney’s Office and the Ministry of the Interior on the post-fire condition of the Vjesnik skyscraper structure.

“On my part, it is definitely necessary to remove the skyscraper structure, both due to the risk of potential collapse and for the safety and transport organisation and passage around the building itself,” Minister Bačić said.

He added that Slavonska avenija and the underpass remain closed until the skyscraper has been removed and that works are in progress to expand the roadway.

“The southern part of Slavonska avenija remains closed, as well as the underpass in both directions. Works performed by the City of Zagreb to connect the northern and southern part of Slavonska avenija are in progress and will continue to facilitate transport in the city,” the Minister said, adding that the City of Zagreb has been involved in the process from the beginning.

“The works in progress on Slavonska have been arranged with us - we have given consent to the City based on Article 129 of the Building Act. Apart from this project, the City of Zagreb is considering other transport solutions using existing roads and roadways in order to facilitate transport in this section, for instance using a traffic lights system or alternative diversions to maximally speed up the traffic,” the Minister explained.

Assoc. Prof. Mario Uroš, PhD, from HCPI said that it is necessary to remove the skyscraper as urgent and as quickly as possible.

“We were afraid from the beginning the decision would go in that direction because from the beginning we were aware of the damage in the structure itself. All measurements and inspections indicate serious structural damage due to the fire and severe damage to columns. Cracks appeared and some element parts fell off due to high temperatures, and the eastern part of the skyscraper is severely damaged,” he said.

Such a structure is currently subject to moisture, rain, snow and frost, which can affect the expansion of concrete, he added and pointed out that the longer such a structure stands, the higher the risk of partial or complete collapse.

“It is clear that different professionals will have to enter the building to inspect it, but it is not possible to guarantee their safety. If anything needs to be done, it should be done very carefully and spending as little time as possible there, and at their own risk,” Uroš said.

Minister Bačić announced that the next step is also to develop project documentation.

“In order to approach the removal together with the other co-owners, we have scheduled a meeting today with representatives of the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering to determine how to remove the building from both a safety and expert standpoint. Today or tomorrow, we will also meet with potential contractors and designers to be able to start the public procurement process,” the Minister announced.

He added that they will aim to evaluate potential contractors on the Croatian and European market who have experience in removing similar buildings, since these are extremely demanding construction works.

“We aim to have the object removed as soon as possible, but we have to take account of the safety of citizens, the entire area and the complex,” Minister Bačić added.

The removal activities start today, he highlighted, while the removal method has not been defined yet.

“We have to sit with the experts and listen to their suggestions as to which removal direction would be the most efficient. The future contractor will most likely do the removal project as well. We believe this is the best approach - to develop the project and prepare the removal at the same time,” the Minister said. He also clarified that the project will determine the scope of removing the buildings adjacent to the skyscraper.

Since the Vjesnik skyscraper has a building manager who is not obliged to publish a public tender for the works, the process of selecting designers and contractors will be made through the building manager "in order to further accelerate the removal process.”

Today, meeting with other co-owners

Today a meeting with other co-owners will be held to determine how to regulate, architecturally, the part of Zagreb at the intersection of Savska ulica and Slavonska avenija.

“So, apart from the Ministry’s activities related to the removal, we will simultaneously define future objects and outlook of the location, and this needs to be done with other co-owners,” he pointed out.

When asked about financing the demolition, Minister Bačić said he couldn’t provide a decisive answer.

“The building is insured, there are removal costs which can be an integral part of indemnification, and the very financing, indemnification and the costs of removal, construction, procedure implementation, documentation, will be determined with other co-owners,” he said.

In any case, the Minister emphasised, the state is interested in developing the entire complex in an appropriate way.