Здание Грузугля в Тбилиси, Stalin Empire style building on Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi, Georgia
The Gruzugol building on Rustaveli Avenue is a structure built in Stalinist Empire style with a 55-meter decorative tower at its crown. The facades are clad in tuff stone and designed following the principles of Soviet monumental architecture.
The building was completed in 1953 by architects Konstantin Chkheidze and Mikhail Chkhikvadze. Just two years later, it faced criticism for the excessive decorative elements adorning its exterior.
The building now serves as home to the Georgian Academy of Sciences and the Georgian Filmmakers Union. These institutions use the space as a working hub, keeping the structure alive with cultural and intellectual activity.
The grand colonnade entrance stairs function as a gathering point where souvenir vendors display their goods. This makes the spot a natural pause for visitors walking along the avenue.
The cost of the facade cladding consumed a surprisingly large share of the total construction budget. This reflects how much the Soviet planners prioritized visual grandeur in their architectural designs.
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