Our Story: From Building Foundations Abroad to Creating Homes on the Albanian Riviera
From Two Workers in Crete to a Hundred Homes
- Back in 1999, long before VivaView even existed, we started with almost nothing. Two workers, a small site in Crete, and a lot of determination. Those first years weren’t glamorous — long days on dusty construction sites, weekends filled with plans and budgets instead of holidays. But little by little, stone by stone, we grew.
- By 2007, we had a team of more than 100 workers and over 100 houses built. I still remember the pride of handing over keys to families who had waited months, sometimes years, to move into their new homes. Crete felt like home for us then.
Then came the financial crisis in Greece in 2008. Overnight, things changed. Work dried up, projects froze, and for the first time in years we were forced to pause and think about the future. That’s when we made the decision to return to Albania , our real home.
Returning to Albania
When we came back, things were different. Saranda wasn’t the Saranda you see today. Fewer hotels, fewer restaurants, fewer investors walking along the boulevard. We started again with 25 workers. It wasn’t easy, but Albanians know how to rebuild.
Between 2013 and 2017, construction slowed again, so we turned to other ventures, running businesses, even managing beaches in Saranda and Ksamil. Those years taught us something important: real estate isn’t just about buildings. It’s about lifestyle, community, and the hidden corners that make this coastline special.
I still think about the afternoons we spent at a quiet stretch of Ksamil beach, when it wasn’t crowded like today. We managed those beaches ourselves for a while, and it gave us an insider’s perspective on what visitors really want: peace, beauty, and authenticity.
Back to Building Strong
By 2017, construction reopened, and we jumped back in with energy. Two years later, in 2019, our team had grown again to over 100 workers. Since then, we’ve completed more than 35 premium projects across southern Albania and Tirana. Many of these weren’t just developments we built for clients, we invested in them ourselves.
That’s something I always point out to clients: if we’re putting our own money into a project, you can be sure we believe in it.
Why We Created VivaView
Over the years, one question kept coming up. Clients would look at us after we handed them their apartment keys and say: “Why don’t you sell directly? We trust you more than the agencies.”
It was true , there was often a gap between what we delivered as builders and what buyers experienced with agencies. Some agencies didn’t explain details, some didn’t feel professional enough, and investors wanted someone who could handle the whole process with transparency.
That’s why we created VivaView Real Estate. We wanted buyers to have a place where they could come directly to the source. With us, you don’t have to juggle different people. You choose the project you like, and we take care of everything else: paperwork, contracts, notary. You sign, and we handle the rest.
How We Work
Through our connections, we’re able to offer the best prices in the market and the lowest commissions. Because we’re builders, we can also go a step further: if a client wants something custom ,maybe a villa with a certain layout, or a furnished apartment that matches their taste, we can design and deliver it.
And then there’s the part most people don’t see: the off-market opportunities. These are properties that never make it to public listings. Maybe a family is looking to sell quietly, or maybe a developer has units they’re willing to offer only to trusted partners. Clients who work with us get access to those hidden deals.
I often tell people: don’t rush. Buying a home or an investment isn’t a race. With VivaView, you don’t need to worry about missing out because we’ll find the right fit for you.
Why People Trust Us
Over the past 20 years, clients have trusted us with over $40 million. That number is big, but what matters more to me is what it represents: trust built one handshake, one set of keys, one relationship at a time.
Our construction team has grown to 100+ people, while our VivaView office runs with a dedicated team of eight. We’re not the biggest agency in Albania, and that’s fine with us. What we want is to be the most trusted.
Looking Ahead
Our vision is clear. We want Albania to become a reference point on the world map ,not just for affordable properties or Saranda apartments for sale, but for the lifestyle it offers. Beachfront property that comes with more than just sea views. Seaview apartments that connect you with local communities, food, and traditions.
I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast. And I say that not only as someone who sells here, but as someone who lives here, raises a family here, and knows what this place has to offer beyond the brochures.
So if you’ve been thinking about investing, retiring, or simply finding your spot in the sun, my advice is simple: come see it for yourself. Walk the promenade, visit a hidden village, have lunch at a taverna by Borsh beach, and then sit down with us. Tell us what you’re looking for. We’ll take care of the rest.
That’s what VivaView is about, premium real estate, backed by builders you can trust.