Ordinary people think that this project will block the fresh air coming from mountain Vodno. Also comments that the project will totally close the city, and making it even more chaotic and crowded town.
The thesis that the towers of Limak will prevent the flow of air is very wrong. They are designed and will be constructed in such matter that their positions will not affect the free flow of the air at all. Really, this is a problem for Skopje since long time ago, and now there are only attempts to pin the same issues to Limak. Our project is a finalist of prestigious renowned awards, it is designed to bring an urban, modern and contemporary look to this part of the city that has long been deserted.
The center of Skopje with the construction of Limak Diamond will become an urban whole, as it suits this significant city in these areas. A city with a history, culture and so important for the people who live here.
Limak complies with the highest building standards. It applies a methodology of work that respects environmental, construction procedures, while at the same time caring for normal urban activities in the immediate vicinity. The building plot is in the very center, and it is for everyone’s insight, which often creates an unpleasant feeling, but the city needs to be developed, urbanized. We hope that things will finish quickly, and at the end we will have a part of Skopje where we will all be proud of.
Will Limak stick to the agreement first to build the underground thoroughfare and then start building above ground?
Limak has signed a contract with the City of Skopje with regards to the underground thoroughfare following the award of the tender to Limak. The terms of this contract have not changed and a new contract has not been signed. Limak will meet the obligations set forth in this original contract. As the nature of construction, it is physically not possible to build the offices, mall, car parks and residences without or before building the underground thoroughfare
According to Limak’s construction schedule, the underground thoroughfare will be the first element of the Limak project to be built on Plot 1.1.
How complicated is the construction of the tunnel and the four towers? Which seismic and architectonic standards are going to be implemented, considering the fact that Skopje is a high-risk earthquake area?
We are aware of the tragic experiences of Skopje with major earthquakes in the past. The clock on the City of Skopje constantly reminds us about the terrible devastation of the 1963 earthquake. During the design phase of the project, Limak has worked with one the best civil/structural engineering companies of Turkey and also with the Earthquake Institute of Macedonia (IZIIS) to ensure that the seismic, structural and architectonic standards of Macedonia were met to ensure the inhabitants of the Limak project will be safe from major earthquakes in the future.
Limak will employ an advance technology construction technique for this project. The first item on Limak’s construction schedule is the erection of diaphragm walls around all plots of the project. This diaphragm wall will be more than 17,000 m2 in area, our piles will be more than 15 km in length and both will go down for 16+ meters. The wall will also be insulated to keep the underground water outside of the construction area and the underground elements upon completion of the construction works.
The underground thoroughfare will be completed in the second quarter of 2020. However, City of Skopje will need to finalize their construction works that need to be completed outside of the Limak plots in order for the underground thoroughfare to be operational.
The future of the Old Railway Station, now Museum of City Skopje, is still not clear. Is it going to be reconstructed as it or is it going to become a part of your project in modern style?
The building of the Museum of City of Skopje is outside of our project area. Limak does not have any obligations to reconstruct this building. We expect that this building will be renovated by the Ministry of Culture and the city authorities. Also, we believe that it will be esthetically synergized with the look of our project.
Is it true that prominent political figures have requested baroque style for you complex?
Our project’s architect is Mr. Ali Osman Öztürk, is a world-renowned Turkish architect. His artistic design is quite contemporary as can be seen from the pictures. Limak project does not have any baroque style buildings.
When the project will be completed?
With over 300,000 m2 construction area, incorporating a number of different use types (ie. tunnel, shopping mall, residential tower’s, offices, hotel and casino) within a city center location, Limak Diamond is a very complex project. Our goal is to ensure that we complete the construction works on time and good planning will ensure us to meet our goals. We will finish a project that Skopje will be proud of!