BELGRADE COOPERATIVE BUILDING

The address of the Belgrade Cooperative is Karađorđeva 48. The building is located on a square that connects Travnička, Karađorđeva, Hercegovačka, and Kraljevića Marka Streets. Nearby are the Faculty of Media and Communications and the Faculty of Economics.

The Belgrade Cooperative was established in the 19th century with the goal of providing financial assistance and property insurance to the citizens of Belgrade.

By 1907, when the building was constructed, the Cooperative had become Belgrade’s leading bank, and its opulent interior reflected the taste of the city’s affluent social classes. The section of Sava Square where the Cooperative was built was known in the 19th century as Mali Pijac (Small Market), serving as a hub for commercial activities. To ensure the building would dominate the newly designed square, the previously constructed Hotel Bosna was demolished.

During the wars of the 20th century, the building suffered partial damage but was repaired in the post-war period. A third floor was added to its side wings, leading to the removal of smaller domes originally located there. The building underwent a full reconstruction in 2014. It was designated a cultural monument of great importance to the Republic of Serbia in 1979.

Today, the Belgrade Cooperative houses the headquarters of a private company, where visitors can view a model of the Belgrade Waterfront project, a development that has sparked significant controversy among civic activists.

The building’s design is a collaborative work by architects Nikola Nestorović and Andra Stevanović, with the intricate decorations created by sculptor Franjo Valdman. At the start of construction, a parchment was placed in the building's foundation, recording the commencement date (1905), the Cooperative's capital, the names of the Board of Directors, and a set of coins.

The building is a blend of various styles, with an academic base in the Neo-Baroque style complemented by Art Nouveau elements.

The façade features sculptures symbolizing the work of the Belgrade Cooperative. Above the entrance is the head of Mercury, the god of commerce, flanked by figures representing banking (a female figure with a beehive) and insurance (a male figure holding a scroll). At the top of the building, there is a composition depicting a woman with four children, representing the economic activities insured by the Cooperative.

The central section facing Karađorđeva Street is the most prominent part of the building, housing the public rooms. The wings extending toward Travnička and Hercegovačka Streets were designed for workspaces. A grand staircase in the central interior connects the two floors.

On the ground floor, there is a hall that once housed service counters. This area also features a richly decorated vault, a reminder of the building’s original purpose as a secure repository for money.

On the first floor, there is an oval-shaped ceremonial hall with walls adorned in marble paneling. A large glass surface on the façade serves as the window for this hall. The room, overlooking Karađorđeva Street, features access to a balcony adorned with lavish Art Nouveau stained glass. Today, the hall houses a restaurant.

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