Kyzyl-Tan, Historical commercial building at Zhibek Zholy street, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Kyzyl-Tan is a historical commercial building on Zhibek Zholy street in Almaty featuring a central dome with scaled patterns, ornamental columns, carved cornices, and a symmetrical facade. The structure spans around 1,450 square meters (15,600 sq ft) and houses sewing equipment, fabrics, and repair services.
The building was designed in 1912 by architect A.P. Zenkov as a store for merchant Iskhak Gabdulvaliev's textile and haberdashery trading company. It received national monument status in 1982 and underwent restoration after a fire in 2009 that damaged the roof and part of the store extension.
The building shows how local merchants conducted business in the early 1900s and what goods mattered to the city then. Its design blends European and local architectural styles, reflecting Almaty's role as a trading hub.
The building is open daily and offers sewing supplies and fabric selection for browsing or purchase. Its location on the main Zhibek Zholy street makes it easy to find and accessible to foot traffic throughout the day.
The building features a hidden master craftsman's workshop in the upper roof area where the original architect maintained his own living and work space. This arrangement shows how architects and artisans collaborated closely in early Almaty to oversee quality and repairs directly.
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