The Bulgarian offices of EU institutions have moved to a new building in the capital Sofia, two years after the budget committee of the European Parliament gave the green light for its purchase.

The news was announced on Friday by the office of the European Commission Permanent Representation in Bulgaria.

The new 7-floor building is modern and luxurious and is located at Georgi Rakovski Blvd, close to the Slaveykov Square.

The deal for the purchase of the building was inked at the end of 2011. The price of the deal - EUR 9 M – included 2523 square meters of offices, reception rooms and underground parking lots.

The acquisition cost the European, including Bulgarian, taxpayers EUR 3 576 per square meter.

The building now accommodates the representatives of the European Parliament and the European Commission. There will also be offices of MEPs and European Commissioners, visiting Bulgaria.

The European Parliament holds 80% of the property, while the rest is held by the private owner of the land.

When the European Parliament announced its plan to buy a new building in August 2009, 22 investors responded and seven of them were selected.

The business center "Rakovski" was preferred because of its suitable size, central and open location, which would allow it to be visited by more citizens. The modern architecture was also one of the motives for the building's choice.

The land and the building at the new place were acquired by BenchMark Fun Estates in 2007. The investment was estimated at EUR 4.5-5 M.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!