U.S. business magazine Forbes has spotlighted Albania’s capital, Tirana, describing it as a bold and culturally significant Balkan city undergoing rapid architectural transformation.
According to Forbes, Prime Minister Edi Rama—himself a trained artist and former professional basketball player—has personally selected leading international architects to help reshape the city’s skyline. The initiative marks an ambitious effort to move Albania out of the shadow of decades of communist isolation through experimental and high-profile urban design.
Modern landmarks such as “Skanderbeg Tower,” “Downtown One Tirana,” and “Tirana Vertical Forest” reflect this drive, blending local symbolism with global design trends. The projects have attracted investment interest and sparked debate over rising property prices in a market that previously lacked a luxury real estate segment.
The transformation was recently celebrated during the inaugural “Bread & Heart” architecture festival, which brought together over 150 architects from Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
While some critics argue that the new buildings are out of context with Tirana’s existing urban fabric, supporters see the boom as a redefinition of Albania’s national identity. As one architect told Forbes, “Tirana offers a blank canvas and a rare openness to experimentation.”
Rama’s government envisions Tirana as a future Adriatic hub for tourism, investment, and cultural innovation. Whether the city’s bold new look proves livable and sustainable remains to be seen.