Romania’s Ministry of Culture has given the OK for a real estate project near the Stirbei Palace located on Calea Victoriei in Bucharest.

The project features a 34-meter high building located near the palace, which is a historic monument, as well as the construction of a shopping mall with five floors and four levels of underground parking, according to documents quoted by local daily Hotnews.ro.

The project has previously been criticized by architects and the civil society, as it is considered too massive for the area.

The Ministry of Culture has given favorable notice for the restoration of Stirbei Palace in July 2013, while in October it gave the green light for the real estate project behind the palace, reports Hotnews.ro.

The Bucharest General Council is to give the final approval on the project.

Palatul Stirbei is located on Calea Victoriei in Bucharest and was built between 1833 and 1835 by plans of the French architect Michel Sanjouand, at the command of prince Barbu Stirbei.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: palat-stirbei.ro)