BLOCK 38

Block 38 is located as a continuation of Block 33, between Narodnih Heroja Street, Omladinskih Brigada Street, Milutin Milanković Boulevard, and Arsenija Čarnojevića Boulevard.

In 1961, a competition was announced for the construction of residential blocks within the so-called Third Residential Zone of New Belgrade. Block 38 was part of this zone. The architects who realized this block were Radivoj Gibarac, Radovan Mitrović, and Dragoslav Mijušković.

Within the block, nine residential buildings were constructed, including seven linear blocks and two three-winged towers, intended to house Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) personnel. At the time, the block belonged to the “22nd December” Local Community, together with Block 39, which was planned as a complex for faculties and art schools. The name of the local community was derived from the former Day of the JNA, which was no coincidence, as most residents were part of the military personnel at the time.

On the basketball courts of Block 38, members of the legendary Yugoslav national basketball team trained, including Dražen Dalipagić, Dragan Kićanović, Ratko Radovanović, Peter Vilfan, Zoran Slavnić, Mirza Delibašić, Krešimir Ćosić, and others, under the guidance of renowned coach Bora Džaković.

The style of Block 38 follows the aesthetic of neighboring Block 33 and Block 37, representing a typical example of industrial modernism in the architecture of New Belgrade.

A distinctive feature of Block 38 is its two 16-story three-winged towers, known as the “Mercedes” towers. The three wings of each building extend radially around a central core, forming a shape reminiscent of the Mercedes logo. The original name of the building was Three-Pointed Star. Designed by architect Radivoj Gibarac, the building was planned to reduce wind pressure on the taller sections, with each wing carefully oriented according to the wind direction.

In addition to the towers, the block includes five eight-story buildings, popularly called the “Matches”, two four-story buildings along Narodnih Heroja Street, and a long four-story building, known as the “Worm”.

Another notable feature of Block 38, alongside its abundant greenery, is the Ratko Mitrović Elementary School, built in a brutalist style. Architect Petar Petrović received the October Award for this project due to his innovative approach, which paid special attention to the needs of modern outdoor education.

The school has 16 classrooms, 12 of which are on the ground floor. Each classroom functions as a separate unit and has direct access to its own atrium, designed as an open-air classroom where lessons can be conducted outdoors.

arh. Petar Petrović, OŠ Ratko Mitrović, 1972.

Mural na zidu osnovne škole

In the other section, there is a commemorative mural dedicated to a former student of the school, Nemanja Veselinović, who tragically passed away.

Mural posvećen Nemanji Veselinoviću