When I told my friends that my husband and I decided to invest our life savings in purchasing an apartment in Belgrade Waterfront, they were thrilled, as we had finally secured the much-anticipated “roof over our heads.”
However, when I explained that our first neighbor would be none other than Nikola Tesla himself, they could not believe it. My friends know how fascinated I am by the life and work of this brilliant scientist, and they were overjoyed that I would be living next to the source of my daily inspiration. After hearing the good news, they opened another bottle of wine and asked me to tell them more about what’s in store for this new Tesla neighborhood, which will soon shine in all its glory.
Due to their great interest, I decided to turn what I had told them into a brief guide to the ideal life awaiting those who decide to start a new chapter with their family in the newly built BW Iskra, located in the heart of Tesla’s neighborhood. Here’s what this newly discovered part of Belgrade Waterfront, from the other side of Gazela Bridge, has to offer:
Nikola Tesla Museum
The greatest privilege of living in the BW Iskra is that you will have practically in your backyard the priceless legacy of one of the greatest geniuses of all time, housed within the former Milan Vapa Paper Mill, which will soon become the address of the Nikola Tesla Museum. After the planned reconstruction, this impressive masterpiece of Serbian architecture will become a new tourist attraction of the city and one of Serbia’s most significant cultural landmarks. Finally, the Serbian and global giant will get the space he deserves.
Green market, Galerija, Sava Park
Right next to the building, just by the Gazela Bridge, there will be a new modern market with a green roof, set to become the gathering place for the city’s biggest hedonists. After shopping for fresh groceries at Belgrade’s version of La Boqueria, you can head over to Galerija. The largest shopping center in the region is just a five-minute walk from your apartment. From there, you can also take a stroll with the kids to their favorite Sava Park, where the most beautiful holiday festival, Winter Fairytale, is currently taking place.
A Linear Park, Sava Promenada, Ada Ciganlija, and the footbridge to Senjak
In the hinterland of the building, there will be a Linear Park connecting New Belgrade with Topcider Park. It will stretch across the Sava River, via the Old Railway Bridge, which after reconstruction will become pedestrian and bike-friendly, with lots of greenery and other amenities that will attract numerous fellow citizens and visitors to the Serbian capital.
Next to the bridge is Sava Promenada, Belgrade’s favorite promenade, which will be expanded to stretch to Ada Ciganlija. “Belgrade’s Sea” will be just a 15-minute walk away, and in no time, you’ll be able to reach Senjak as well, thanks to the pedestrian footbridge that will be built practically right in front of your building, leading to this picturesque part of the city.
Sports amenities
Located within a complex that also includes two other residential buildings and a four-star hotel, BW Iskra boasts a spacious inner courtyard that serves as another large green oasis by the river.
Besides morning jogging, you can enjoy a top-notch game of basketball with your neighbors on the full-size court, take the kids to the playground, test your climbing skills on the rock-climbing wall, or simply work out in the open air. In the neighboring building’s ground floor, there’s also a well-equipped gym. Just a three-minute walk from the entrance to the building, you’ll find courts for the increasingly popular padel, located directly beneath the Gazela Bridge. BW Iskra is thus an ideal sports hub where you and your family can have an active and healthy lifestyle in a pleasant and green environment.
Lozionica, metro station, Sava Square, educational campus
If, like Tesla, you’re a creative person and an innovation enthusiast, here’s some good news: Lozionica, a new multifunctional center for art, creativity, and innovation, is just a five-minute walk away. Near this incubator of brilliant ideas, you’ll also find a metro station, from where it’s only a short ride to Sava Square, where the historic building of the Old Post Office hosts two theater stages and an Archaeological Museum. Nearby, you’ll find the Historical Museum of Serbia in the former Main Railway Station building, as well as the most modern educational campus housing a state-run primary school and kindergarten. Another school and kindergarten will be even closer to the BW Iskra, so you won’t need to start your car – your kids will be able to walk to class safely and quickly on wide sidewalks.
As in any good movie trailer, this guide only presents some of the most interesting sequences of an ideal life in a part of the city that is waking up from its slumber. The rest, you’ll be able to explore on your own. Perhaps, right here, in Tesla’s neighborhood, you’ll find your spark of a dynamic new life in the city center.