In 2003, the city ofTirana, headed by then-mayorEdi Rama, had commissioned a masterplan for the redevelopment of the city center. Drafted byArchitecture-Studio, the plan envisioned the construction of ten towers, arranged in parallel order aroundSkanderbeg Square, with an intended maximum height of 85 meters proposed for each tower, so to maintain a cohesive skyline.
Projects such asAlban Tower andEyes of Tirana deviated from these height restrictions, creating a precedent that led to increased heights for future developments. This change contributed to a progressive trend toward taller and more imposing structures within and around the city’s urban core.[1]
The following list of tall buildings is organized in accordance with the international standards set forth by theCouncil on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).[2]
List of buildings with a minimum height of ~300 m (980 ft).
| No. | Name | Image | Location | Height | Floors | Architect | Developer | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tirana Society Towers |  | Tirana 41°19′44″N19°49′16″E / 41.32894°N 19.82104°E /41.32894; 19.82104 | 300 m (980 ft) | — | Alejandro Aravena | Delta sh.p.k / Techno Alb sh.p.k | ongoing |
List of buildings with a minimum height of ~200 m (660 ft).
List of buildings with a height variance from ~100 m (330 ft) up to ~199 m (653 ft).
List of buildings with a height variance from ~45 m (148 ft) up to ~99 m (325 ft).
| No. | Name | Image | Location | Height | Floors | Architect | Developer | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mixed-use Highrise | | Tirana | — | 27 | — | Tirana West Center sh.p.k |  approved |
| 2 | Mixed-use Highrise | | Tirana | — | 26 | — | Ital-Project sh.p.k | approved |
| 3 | Tirana Boulevard | | Tirana 41°20′36″N19°48′49″E / 41.34327°N 19.81352°E /41.34327; 19.81352 | 97.38 m (319.5 ft) | 25 | MVRDV / UNO Architects | Sky Invest sh.p.k | u/c |
| 4 | United Towers of Tirana | | Tirana 41°18′47″N19°48′29″E / 41.31311°N 19.80819°E /41.31311; 19.80819 | 95.7 m (314 ft) | 25 | Marco Casamonti & Partners | Arlis Construction sh.p.k | u/c |
| 5 | Urban Oda | | Tirana | — | 25 | — | Salillari sh.p.k | approved |
| 6 | Flower Tower | | Tirana 41°20′03″N19°49′08″E / 41.33420°N 19.81895°E /41.33420; 19.81895 | — | 25 | Office KGDVS | Ober sh.p.k / Kleal Invest sh.p.k / Xhajs Tirana sh.p.k | approved |
| 7 | Evolve Tower | | Tirana 41°19′29″N19°49′34″E / 41.32462°N 19.82614°E /41.32462; 19.82614 | 93 m (305 ft) | 21 | Andrea Caputo | Aron-Edil sh.p.k | u/c |
| 8 | Ekspozita Building | | Tirana 41°19′23″N19°48′40″E / 41.32295°N 19.81115°E /41.32295; 19.81115 | 93 m (305 ft)[23] | 24 | Mario Cucinella | Titan Konstruksion sh.p.k | u/c |
| 9 | A.F.A Tower | | Tirana 41°19′50″N19°49′36″E / 41.33046°N 19.82656°E /41.33046; 19.82656 | 92.43 m (303.2 ft) | 25 | Cityförster | Oni & Afa sh.p.k | approved |
| 10 | Tirana's Rock |  | Tirana 41°19′48″N19°49′10″E / 41.32999°N 19.81931°E /41.32999; 19.81931 | 89 m (292 ft)[24][25] | 26 | MVRDV | ANA sh.p.k | u/c |
| 11 | Wind Tower | | Tirana 41°20′17″N19°47′20″E / 41.33801°N 19.78889°E /41.33801; 19.78889 | 87.36 m (286.6 ft) | 22 | UDV Architects | Kastrati Energy sh.p.k | approved |
| 12 | Embassy Tower | | Tirana 41°19′52″N19°48′22″E / 41.33110°N 19.80620°E /41.33110; 19.80620 | 87 m (285 ft) | 25 | Coldefy | Ultratech & Lunor ltd | ongoing |
| 13 | Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana |  | Tirana 41°19′40″N19°49′18″E / 41.32778°N 19.82154°E /41.32778; 19.82154 | 85 m (279 ft)[26] | 24 | 51N4E | TID Albania | 2015 |
| 14 | Tirana Garden Building |  | Tirana 41°19′37″N19°48′21″E / 41.32684°N 19.80575°E /41.32684; 19.80575 | 85 m (279 ft)[27] | 24 | Archea Associati | Nova Construction sh.p.k | 2023 |
| 15 | Filigree Tower | | Tirana 41°20′11″N19°50′22″E / 41.33632°N 19.83953°E /41.33632; 19.83953 | 83.7 m (275 ft) | 21 | X-Plan Studio | Kuteli sh.p.k | u/c |
| 16 | ABA Business Center | .jpg) | Tirana 41°19′13″N19°49′23″E / 41.32023°N 19.82297°E /41.32023; 19.82297 | 83 m (272 ft)[28] | 21 | Bolles+Wilson | Gener 2 | 2008 |
| 17 | Ambasador III | .jpg) | Tirana 41°19′06″N19°49′33″E / 41.31834°N 19.82585°E /41.31834; 19.82585 | 82 m (269 ft)[29] | 23 | Atelier 4 | Mane TCI | 2016 |
| 18 | Mixed-use Highrise | | Tirana | — | 23 | — | Aghak Cara sh.p.k | approved |
| 19 | Ndarja | | Tirana 41°19′28″N19°48′23″E / 41.32454°N 19.80645°E /41.32454; 19.80645 | — | 24, 23, 22 | OODA | Artech Group sh.p.k / Edonil Konstruksion sh.p.k | approved |
| 20 | Mixed-use Highrise | | Tirana | — | 22 | — | Constructal sh.p.k / Nova Group sh.p.k | approved |
| 21 | Void Tower | | Tirana 41°19′40″N19°49′39″E / 41.32788°N 19.82741°E /41.32788; 19.82741 | 79.75 m (261.6 ft) | 23 | Andrea Caputo | A.I.B.A sh.p.k | ongoing |
| 22 | Book Building |  | Tirana 41°19′39″N19°49′13″E / 41.32758°N 19.82023°E /41.32758; 19.82023 | 77 m (253 ft)[30] | 21 | 51N4E | Techno-Alb sh.p.k | 2024 |
| 23 | Tirana Jardins | | Tirana | — | 21, 20, 19 | Manuelle Gautrand | Xhajs Tirana sh.p.k | approved |
| 24 | Sky Hotel Tirana | .jpg) | Tirana 41°19′20″N19°49′05″E / 41.32236°N 19.81804°E /41.32236; 19.81804 | 76 m (249 ft)[31] | 20 | Ilir Shijaku | Lani sh.p.k | 2000 ↓ 2020 (extended) |
| 25 | Vertical Forest |  | Tirana 41°19′05″N19°49′31″E / 41.31814°N 19.82514°E /41.31814; 19.82514 | 75 m (246 ft)[32] | 21 | Stefano Boeri | Gener 2 | 2024 |
| 26 | Altura Trade Center | | Tirana 41°20′37″N19°48′42″E / 41.34369°N 19.81174°E /41.34369; 19.81174 | — | 19 | Studio Arch4 | Usluga sh.p.k | u/c |
| 27 | West Habitat | | Tirana | — | 19 | UDV Architects | — | ongoing |
| 28 | Sunrise Tower | | Tirana | — | 18 | — | Braka Construction sh.p.k | ongoing |
| 29 | Green Tower | | Tirana 41°19′24″N19°48′45″E / 41.32322°N 19.81240°E /41.32322; 19.81240 | 74 m (243 ft)[33] | 18 | SOA Architecture | Titan Konstruktion sh.p.k | u/c |
| 30 | Mixed-use Building | | Tirana | 73.8 m (242 ft) | 20 | Dalmat Architecture | TDT & Partners sh.p.k | approved |
| 31 | Nomad Building | | Tirana 41°19′30″N19°48′08″E / 41.32487°N 19.80236°E /41.32487; 19.80236 | 72.7 m (239 ft) | 20 | Dalmat Architecture | Artech Group sh.p.k | approved |
| 32 | Grey Moon Tower | | Tirana 41°19′06″N19°48′47″E / 41.31836°N 19.81299°E /41.31836; 19.81299 | 71.55 m (234.7 ft) | 18 | X-Plan Studio | Babasi Coo sh.p.k | approved |
| 33 | Puzzle Tirana | | Tirana 41°18′52″N19°48′23″E / 41.31453°N 19.80633°E /41.31453; 19.80633 | 71 m (233 ft) | 20 | NOA / Atelier 4 | Texas Development sh.p.k | ongoing |
| 34 | Park Avenue | | Tirana 41°20′26″N19°48′45″E / 41.34062°N 19.81263°E /41.34062; 19.81263 | 70 m (230 ft) | 19 | Davide Mecullo Architects | Orion Construction sh.p.k | u/c |
| 35 | Mixed-use Building | | Tirana | — | 18 | — | Euro Beton Group sh.p.k | approved |
| 36 | Mara Palace | | Tirana 41°20′02″N19°49′42″E / 41.33379°N 19.82846°E /41.33379; 19.82846 | — | 18 | — | Am&Zo sh.p.k | approved |
| 37 | Tirana Lake | | Tirana 41°18′48″N19°48′48″E / 41.31329°N 19.81329°E /41.31329; 19.81329 | 68.55 m (224.9 ft) | 17 | Marco Casamonti & Partners | Building Construction Invest sh.p.k | approved |
| 38 | Lake View Residences | .jpg) | Tirana 41°18′40″N19°48′40″E / 41.31106°N 19.81110°E /41.31106; 19.81110 | 60–70 m (200–230 ft)[34] | 17 | JA Joubert | Gener 2 | 2023 |
| 39 | White Tower | | Tirana 41°18′54″N19°48′23″E / 41.31489°N 19.80650°E /41.31489; 19.80650 | —[35] | 17 | Dalmat Architecture | Nova Construction sh.p.k | u/c |
| 40 | Art N'Lagje | | Tirana 41°20′08″N19°50′33″E / 41.33549°N 19.84261°E /41.33549; 19.84261 | — | 17, 15, 12, 20, 9, 7 | Dalmat Architecture | Aulonamar sh.p.k | u/c |
| 41 | Residential Highrise | | Tirana | — | 17 | — | Baholli Construction sh.p.k | approved |
| 42 | Mixed-use Highrise | | Tirana | — | 17 | — | Baholli Construction sh.p.k | approved |
| 43 | ETC Galeria | .jpg) | Tirana 41°19′27″N19°49′22″E / 41.32405°N 19.82291°E /41.32405; 19.82291 | 56 m (184 ft)[36] | 16 | — | Edil-Al | 2006 |
| 44 | Tirana International Hotel | .jpg) | Tirana 41°19′48″N19°49′07″E / 41.32999°N 19.81861°E /41.32999; 19.81861 | 56 m (184 ft)[37] | 15 | Valentina Pistoli | Albanian State | 1979 |
| 45 | Twin Towers | .jpg) | Tirana 41°19′20″N19°49′11″E / 41.32236°N 19.81972°E /41.32236; 19.81972 | 52 m (171 ft)[38] | 15 | — | TID | 2005 |
| 46 | Residential Highrise | | Tirana | 51.7 m (170 ft) | 14 | Stefano Boeri | Domus Group AL sh.p.k | approved |
| 47 | MET Building |  | Tirana 41°19′29″N19°49′15″E / 41.32479°N 19.82090°E /41.32479; 19.82090 | 48.7 m (160 ft)[39] | 15 | Mario Cucinella | MET Invest sh.p.k | 2024 |
| 48 | Illyrius Apartments | | Tirana | 47.9 m (157 ft)[40] | 15 | GG-loop | Balfin Group | approved |
| 49 | Multifunctional Building | | Tirana | — | 15 | — | Oni & Afa sh.p.k | approved |
| No. | Name | Image | Location | Height | Floors | Architect | Developer | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durrës Tower | | Durrës 41°18′18″N19°29′44″E / 41.30504°N 19.49568°E /41.30504; 19.49568 | — | 32, 24 | Luca Dini | Rajfi Group sh.p.k | ongoing |
| 2 | Durrësi Tower | | Durrës 41°18′46″N19°26′55″E / 41.31284°N 19.44863°E /41.31284; 19.44863 | 110 m (360 ft), 90 m (300 ft),66 m (217 ft) | 30, 24, 17 | XDGA & IRI sh.p.k. | T&Xh sh.p.k. | approved |
| 3 | Rajfi Residence | .jpg) | Durrës 41°18′37″N19°26′37″E / 41.31029°N 19.44367°E /41.31029; 19.44367 | 91 m (299 ft)[41] | 27 | — | Rajfi Group sh.p.k | 2018 |
| 4 | Mixed-use | | Durrës | - | 25, 17 | — | Desla sh.p.k. | approved |
| 5 | Highrise Building | | Durrës 41°18′40″N19°26′58″E / 41.31124°N 19.44952°E /41.31124; 19.44952 | 84 m (276 ft) | 24 | — | — | — |
| 6 | Stadium Towers | | Durrës 41°19′34″N19°26′59″E / 41.32611°N 19.44972°E /41.32611; 19.44972 | 90 m (300 ft). 89 m (292 ft),80 m (260 ft) | 22, 22, 19 | 51N4E / PLAN COMUN | - | ongoing |
| 7 | Mixed-use | | Durrës | — | 20 | - | Autokton Konstruksion sh.p.k. | approved |
| 8 | Skalitur Tower | | Durrës 41°18′54″N19°27′06″E / 41.31490°N 19.45159°E /41.31490; 19.45159 | — | 19 | Luca Dini | Babasi Coo sh.p.k | approved |
| 9 | Residence | | Durrës | — | 18 | Xplanstudio | Pjeza 2022 sh.p.k | approved |
| 10 | Crowne Plaza | | Durrës 41°18′31″N19°26′45″E / 41.30850°N 19.44571°E /41.30850; 19.44571 | —[42] | 16 | FOCUS Architecture | Mediterranean Investment Group | 2025 |
| 11 | Fly Tower |  | Durrës 41°18′36″N19°26′53″E / 41.30995°N 19.44805°E /41.30995; 19.44805 | 58 m (190 ft) | 15 | — | — | 2008 |
| 12 | EGT Business Center |  | Durrës 41°18′47″N19°26′48″E / 41.31301°N 19.44676°E /41.31301; 19.44676 | 49 m (161 ft) | 13 | — | — | 2007 |
| No. | Name | Image | Location | Height | Floors | Architect | Developer | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flamurtari Tower | | Vlorë | — | 40 | — | — | ongoing |
| 2 | Mixed-use Highrise | | Vlorë | — | 39 | — | G&E Investment sh.p.k | approved |
| 3 | Mixed-use Highrise | | Vlorë | — | 37 | — | Hel-Pet sh.p.k / Alb-Edil sh.p.k / Texas Development sh.p.k | approved |
| 4 | Vlora Altura | | Vlorë | — | 36, 34 | — | Leon 2011 sh.p.k | ongoing |
| 5 | Vlora Landmark Resort | | Vlorë 40°26′02″N19°29′44″E / 40.43383°N 19.49553°E /40.43383; 19.49553 | 125.5 m (412 ft) | 33 | Oppenheim Architecture | E&A Investment Vlorë sh.p.k | approved |
| 6 | Vlora Marina Tower | | Vlorë 40°27′09″N19°28′55″E / 40.45240°N 19.48206°E /40.45240; 19.48206 | 125 m (410 ft) | 36 | — | — | approved |
| 7 | Vlora Central | | Vlorë 40°27′59″N19°29′03″E / 40.46639°N 19.48424°E /40.46639; 19.48424 | — | 31 | Oppenheim Architecture | Anchor Investment sh.p.k | approved |
| 8 | Vlore Beach | | Vlorë | — | 30, 26, 20 | — | Feniks Konstruksion sh.p.k | ongoing |
| 9 | Mixed-use Highrise | | Vlorë | — | 28 | — | Adriatic Center sh.p.k | ongoing |
| 10 | Luzaj Towers | | Vlorë 40°26′15″N19°29′54″E / 40.43737°N 19.49826°E /40.43737; 19.49826 | — | 24 | Coop Himmelb(l)au | — | approved |
| 11 | Mixed-use Highrise | | Vlorë | — | 24 | — | Turi M.Z.B sh.p.k. | approved |
| 12 | Mixed-use Highrise | | Vlorë | — | 24 | — | Modeste sh.p.k. | approved |
| 13 | Residential Building | | Vlorë | — | 23 | — | En Construction sh.p.k / Dakz sh.p.k | approved |
| 14 | Flatiron Vlora | | Vlorë | — | 22, 21 | — | Kumi Konstruksion sh.p.k / Semajo sh.p.k | ongoing |
| 15 | The Leaves | | Vlorë 40°25′23″N19°29′35″E / 40.42295°N 19.49296°E /40.42295; 19.49296 | — | 16 | Davide Macullo Architects | Azure Developments sh.p.k | approved |
| No. | Name | Image | Location | Height | Floors | Architect | Developer | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rozafa Tower | | Shkodër 42°04′01″N19°30′46″E / 42.06708°N 19.51284°E /42.06708; 19.51284 | 119.6 m (392 ft) | 35 | Selgascano + FRPO | Rozafa Group sh.p.k | u/c |
| 2 | Saranda Tower | | Sarandë 39°52′24″N19°59′40″E / 39.87344°N 19.99437°E /39.87344; 19.99437 | — | 32 | — | G&P sh.p.k | approved |
| 3 | Gjirafa Highrise | | Shëngjin | — | 29 | — | Alessio Konstruksion sh.p.k | approved |
| 4 | Residential Highrise | | Shëngjin | — | 26 | — | S.T. Konstruksion sh.p.k | approved |
| 5 | Residential Highrise | | Shëngjin | — | 25 | — | Ilyonis Constructions sh.p.k | approved |
| 6 | Mixed-use Highrise | | Pulaj-Plazh | — | 24 | — | Euro Sistem sh.p.k | approved |
Clock towers in Albania were typically situated in the most vibrant and noticeable areas of cities, such as marketplaces, near the main mosques, and occasionally even within castles. They were considered landmarks or reference points, in contrast to the neighborhood and the city as a whole. The construction of these important urban structures was driven by a growing demand from the civic society at the time.[43]
The term "kulla" (English:tower) or "kullë e veçuar" (detached tower) refers to a tall, fortified structure designed for various defensive and practical purposes. Detached towers were used as observation posts for monitoring roads or borders, facilitating signal exchanges, serving as fortified residences, and acting as primary towers within fortified cities and castles. They also protected monasteries and functioned as temporary summer dwellings for landowners or as vantage points during agricultural harvests.[56]
The largest concentration ofkullas can be found in the historic region ofMirditë, known as the epicenter of catholicism in the country. Itsbajraks held considerable influence in the political affairs of pre-independent Albania.[70]
The tower houses of Mirdita were historically built by wealthy and influential families, with the number of floors symbolizing their social status.
Each tower typically featured three, four or more rooms. In the absence of a separate shed, the ground floor was often used to house livestock. A narrow staircase, located just before the main entrance, led to the guest room, which was commonly equipped with a fireplace.
The most prevalent architectural form of fortified dwellings in theOrosh region and its surroundings is the corner plan, achieved by attaching an annex to the primary structure. The annex’s alcoves often housed the sanitary facilities for each floor.
These fortified houses were outfitted with chimneys, but unlike the chimneys inMat andDibër, they lacked windows, featuring only turrets. Over time, Mirdita’sçikmata lost their original function as seating areas and became purely defensive architectural elements.[71]
| No. | Name | Image | Location | Height | Status | Builder | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nickel Mine Towers |  | Prrenjas 41°04′02″N20°32′20″E / 41.06710°N 20.53879°E /41.06710; 20.53879 | 52 m (171 ft) | Decommissioned | Albanian State | 1966 |
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