From luxury hotel to ruin: Rijeka building stands empty and damp

The once-grand "Franjo Belulović" Trade Union House in Rijeka, a building with a rich history dating back to 1877, now stands as a symbol of decay. Once a hub for theater, dances, and film screenings, and later serving as a trade union center after World War II, approximately 75 percent of the structure is now unusable due to its poor condition and pervasive dampness.

The building, located on Krešimirova Street in the city center and situated within a protected cultural-historical urban area, was transferred to the Trade Union Property Fund earlier this year. While a few union offices still occupy a small portion, the vast majority of the building is neglected and deteriorating.

According to Boris Feis, secretary of the Croatian Trade Union Confederation (SSSH) and director of the Property Fund, the fund and its constituent unions are now responsible for the property. He explained that the unions did not own the building during its decline and had been paying usage costs for years. The fund, established by a law in early 2025, is jointly managed by various union confederations, with SSSH holding the largest share.

Feis acknowledged the building's poor state, including significant moisture issues, which prevent the use of most of its space. The Management Board of the Trade Union Property Fund is scheduled to determine the future course of action for this and other properties in their 2027 plan. Any potential sale of the building would first require offers to the Republic of Croatia, then the county, and finally the local government.

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The Management Board of the Trade Union Property Fund will decide how to proceed with this and other properties in the plan for 2027.