The Serbian government has decided to transfer the Seventh Regiment Barracks in Belgrade at no cost to “Affinity Global Development,” a company owned by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump. The plan is to construct a hotel within the barracks, which will be named in honor of Kushner’s father-in-law, as reported by Radar today.

Former Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Goran Vesić, representing the Serbian Government, signed a contract with Kushner’s company regarding the land and remnants of the Serbian Army General Staff complex situated in central Belgrade. He had anticipated that the Seventh Regiment Barracks, recognized as a cultural monument of national significance and located on the same property, would also be included in this transfer.

This situation has raised concerns over yet another secret agreement, which critics argue lacks economic reasoning and offers no benefits to the state, having been finalized against the wishes of the professional community and the public.

The report recalls that the General Staff complex, located at the intersection of Kneza Miloša and Nemanjina streets, suffered destruction during the NATO bombing in 1999.

Radar noted that while there are currently no activities underway on the complex’s grounds, the land lessee, Kushner’s company “Affinity Global Development,” is busy developing plans and the project’s framework.

According to Radar, fortunately, the 7th Regiment barracks “will not be demolished based on current tenders, but a Trump International Hotel will be established on the premises.”

Visual representations of the projected hotel have been released on the official website, which also features contact details, highlighting the official address of the future development at Nemanjina 15, where the Seventh Regiment Barracks are situated, as per Radar’s report.

This site spans approximately 3,000 square meters, with usage rights held by the Ministry of Defense, while ownership resides with the state of Serbia.

Radar mentions that although construction of residential towers on the General Staff site has yet to commence, pre-sales for apartment units within these towers have already been announced and could begin in just four months. The project’s website, trumpbelgrade.com, states that real estate pre-sales in the Serbian capital will kick off this summer.

It was officially revealed that the luxury development located in the heart of Belgrade will carry the name Trump Tower, a decision made following Donald Trump’s electoral victory in the US presidential elections.

Radar also reminded readers of previous comments regarding the repurposing of the former military complex. In 2017, Goran Vesić, then deputy mayor of Belgrade, stated that he had negotiated an exchange of the barracks with Aleksandar Vulin, then Minister of Defense. The City of Belgrade’s vision included a library space with reading areas and cafés for visitors to enjoy throughout the day.

In April last year, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić discussed the Seventh Regiment Barracks, expressing hope that the Ministry of Defense and General Staff would relocate promptly, allowing the building to be revitalized.

The report brings attention to the contract signed between the Serbian Government and “Affinity Global Development” in May 2024, which was not made public despite media requests.

Due to the lack of published details, specific aspects of the project remain unclear, although some elements have been revealed.

Following the contract’s signing, Vesić clarified that the state did not gift the land but rather leased it for 99 years, stipulating that the investor must construct and fund a Memorial Complex on the same site dedicated to victims of the NATO bombing, which will remain under the ownership of the Serbian state.

However, Radar noted that “the former minister neglected to mention that the plots were leased without payment and that the leasehold could be converted into ownership, also without compensation.”

Previously, Kushner indicated that this investment amounts to 500 million euros and that Serbia would receive 22 percent of the profits.

The hotel project is set to feature 175 rooms, alongside plans for three residential towers containing over 1,500 units, culminating in a total complex area exceeding 250,000 square meters.

Radar reported the expected formation of a joint venture between the Serbian government and Kushner’s company, adding that, according to the New York Times, the project will also involve the company Eagle Hills, a co-owner of the Belgrade Waterfront initiative.