Old Buildings Torn Down Near Razlog, More Construction Planned

The demolition of 130 old, run-down buildings in a former industrial zone of 68.8 ha began near the city of Razlog, Stroitelsvo Gradut weekly has reported.Two production factories, which have been idle for more than five years, are also being pulled down. It has been said that the remaining construction waste will be recycled, and parts of it will be re-used for road construction. The cleaning process is not expected to take more than six months.The new owner, Pirinland Investments, has still not announced ideas for future development, and according to Stroitelstvo Gradut, the land plot is within 300m from a planned first-class golf course in the village of Dolno Draglishte. The company's initial plans are to reconstruct some of the production facilities and build new recreation and entertainment zones where the old factories once stood.Pirinland Investments is using the consulting services of Economics Research Associates (ERA), an American company with 50 years of experience in developing property projects.Being in close proximity to Bansko, one of Bulgaria's most prominent ski resorts, Razlog municipality has issued 103 building permits since the beginning of 2008, according to investor.bg. The website reports that one of the large-scale projects that remains to be built near Razlog is Edelweiss - Koulinoto, which will feature 229 holiday flats.The building of Pirin Golf Holidays and Spa in the Betolovoto-Tsurnako area has already begun, investor.bg reported, adding that the project also includes an apart-hotel, a five-star hotel and a spa centre. The total built-up area will be 26 000 sq m with close to 130 flats.