The planned demolition of the Vjesnik tower in Zagreb has been postponed after asbestos was found on the building’s 16th floor, officials said on Wednesday.
Tonči Glavinić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Construction and State Property, confirmed that all work on that floor has been halted following the discovery. The delay also affects the planned opening of the Slavonska Avenue underpass.
The tower, a 16-story building, was heavily damaged in a fire in November 2025. Authorities initially stated that asbestos had been removed from the structure, but engineers warned the ministry in November that asbestos might still be present.
Preparatory work for the demolition, including the removal of glass and interior fittings by the contractor Eurco, had been ongoing, but the new finding has forced a temporary suspension. Glavinić said further details on the demolition timeline and safety measures will be provided at a press conference later this week.
The Vjesnik building, a former media headquarters, has been a long-standing landmark in the city, and its fire and demolition have raised safety and environmental concerns among residents.