Navigating the Building Permit Maze
Need a Building Permit? Want to legalize a non-permitted structure? Received an Order to Comply?
We constantly get phone calls with requests for information on a variety of topics such as:
- Orders to comply
- Where to obtain online information and forms
- Illegal conversions
- Code violations
- Unpermitted guesthouses
- Variances and Conditional Use Permits
- Time saving Tips for getting a permit
- And More…
As a free service to our clients and subscribers, we have set up a webpage to deal with these important subjects. Visit our dedicated page at www.ortnerdesign.com/permits for revealing articles and useful information
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A (very brief) Guide to Tirana
Tirana is Albania’s largest city and serves as the country’s capital. Although Tirana’s history is relatively recent compared to that of the Albanian people, Tirana has managed to become the country’s economic, cultural and administrative center.
Tourists usually find Tirana a beautiful and charming city, with a lively night life. Tirana is undergoing a major renovation from its communist days. Many of the ugly dull buildings have been repainted,
Predominant Architecture:
Following a short period of Nazi and Italian fascists’ occupancy, Albania became a communist republic in 1944. During the communist period, Tirana suffered a serious transformation, with numerous institutions, streets and residential areas being built after the principles of Stalinist architecture.
Modern Tirana boasts a range of towers and colorfully painted apartment buildings. But there are also elegant, distinctive, historic buildings dating back to the nineteenth century. Liberal use of color is one of the main characteristics of Tirana architecture.
Places to See:
Clock Tower of Tirana: It was built in 1822 by Haxhi Et`hem Bey, who also oversaw the construction of the Et’hem Bey Mosque. Until 1970 it was the tallest building in Tirana
Et’hem Bey Mosque: Located in the center of the Albanian capital of Tirana, construction started in 1789 and it was finished in 1823 by his son Ethem Pasha (Haxhi Ethem Bey), great-grandson of Sulejman Pasha
Ministry of Internal Affairs: The Ministry of Internal Affairs is a fascist-era building. The structure is eye-catching, because of its elegant architecture and pleasant pastel colors.
Pyramid: Tirana’s Pyramid is a modern pyramid-style building. It was built as a memorial museum for the ex-communist leader of Albania, Enver Hoxha. Today it is the International Center of Culture.
Presidential Palace of Tirana: The Presidential Palace of Tirana is used by the Albanian government. The palace was built in the Rationalist style, and its architecture is unique not only in Albania, but in the entire formerly-fascist region of Italy.
The Block (Blloku): The area where in the past, the communist leaders used to live under strict protection. Today is the main business and entertainment area.