While composing this article, the good part was that a lot of buildings in Tbilisi turned out to be attractive and very sophisticated. Nor is the city lacking a diversity of architectural styles and writing about them is a great pleasure. The bad news, however, is that there is a larger number of ugly buildings than beautiful ones. Although we focused on the city centre, still could not avoid those tasteless buildings, which result from the collaboration of non-professional architects and stubborn clients.
These are 10 ugliest and 15 most beautiful buildings in Tbilisi:
10 Ugliest Buildings in Tbilisi
10. Residential Complex near “300 Aragveli” underground station
Pay attention to how pale yellow facade harmoniously suits blue glass. Tbilisi is said to have the most wonderful views, especially if you look out of the verandas covered with metal grates.
- Residential Complex in 300 Aragveli. Photo: Nanuka Zaalishvili
9. University “SEU”
Initially, this building was just nondescript and ugly. After it was crowned with a scrap construction, the building has already become outstandingly ugly
- SEU University. Photo: Nanuka Zaalishvili
8. Residential building behind the School #1
This “monster” sits on top of the first school and completely blocks the view of Mtatsminda. With its inappropriate design and architecture which is absolutely tasteless for this century, it distorts the center of town and is a miserable thing with its dumbly colored facade.
- Residential Complex behind School #1. Photo: Ninuca Kakabadze
7. Tbilisi State Academy of Arts
It would be ugly for the suburbs as well, but I wonder why Academy of Art has building like this located in the city’s historic part – this is the question which has remained unanswered for years.
- Tbilisi State Academy of Arts. Photo: Nanuka Zaalishvili
6. “Wissol” building in Chavchavadze Ave.
The city is divided in two parts while assessing this building. Some claim that it looks like a banana, while others stubbornly insist that itis more like a cake. I’m somewhere in the middle, I suppose it is a banana cake which I want to devour and make it vanish.
- Wissol Building. Photo: Ninuca Kakabadze
5. “Center Point” Residential complex in Chavchavadze Ave.
The construction company “Center Point” has introduced its another masterpiece and what we would call – a hipster building in the city, especially with sophisticated black and gray tones, harmoniously reflected in the architecture. By the way, if you see a crane behind, do not suppose that it is still in use. It was just left behind, because the complex was built around it and therefore it could not be extracted from the whole scene afterwards. #Professionalism
- Center Point Residential Complex. Photo: Ninuca Kakabadze
4. “Center Point” Residential complex in Vera
Construction company “Center Point” once built a yellow building, it has already faded however and so, it makes Tbilisi horizon even “more attractive”. Famous critics awarded this building an eclectic style, with its variety of forms and their harmonious synthesis. In City Hall it is being gossiped that this building is expected to receive a status of monument.
- Center Point Vera Residential Complex in . Photo: Nanuka Zaalishvili
3. Casino “Shangrila”
We decided to evaluate this building using a 10 -point scale (if it might be called a building at all):
Environmental Adjustment: -100
Architecture / Design: -10
Environmental Adjustment: -100
Vanity of the world: -10
Environmental Adjustment: -100
Love and Understanding: -10
Environmental Adjustment: -100
Function (in this part of the city): -1000
Environmental Adjustment: -100
- Casino “Shangrila”. Photo: Ninuca Kakabadze
2. Tbilisi Mall
You can’t leave or arrive to the city without noticing this “high-quality” building, which welcomes everybody with its colors. It was constructed by “Rakeen Development” several years ago. Even if we do not mention the interior design, it will be unfair not to emphasize the facade colored by nursery school children, with very simple, rectangular shapes. One quote defines this building very accurately: “All genius is simple, but everything that is simple, is not genius”.
- Tbilisi Mall. Photo: www.buro247.ru
1. “Kare” Building
Unconditional and unrivaled leader of this list is “Kare” building in David Agmashenebeli alley aka the “spiral”. Observe how refined each of these spiraled lines is. We should also mention the architectural composition, which obviously has a very clear concept and therefore perfectly suits this place. Look at how accurately the character of the environment has been seized by the architect and how this building refines and complements the surroundings.
- Kare Building. Photo: Ninuca Kakabadze
15 Most Beautiful Buildings in Tbilisi
15. Shopping Center “PIXEL” on Chavchavadze Ave.
Architect: Wandel Hoefer Lorch
Year: 2008
- Shopping Center PIXEL. Photo: Nino Alavidze
14. Residential Complex on Chavchavadze Ave.
Architect: Studio ARCI/ Rati Chomakhidze
Year: 2013
- Studio ARCI. Photo: Vincent Manalo
13. National Bank on Airport Highway
Architect: Studio Arci / T.Kvantaliani , R.Khetashvili, Q.Chanturia
Year: 2013
- National Bank by Studio ARCI.
12. Czech Embassy
- Czech Embassy. Photo: Ninutsa Kakabadze
11. Former Marriage Palace
Architects: Viktor Jorbenadze, Vazha Orbladze
Cosntructor: Givi Pitskhelauri
Year:1984
- Former Marriage House
10. Housing and Office Building on Abuladze str.
Architect: Studio ARCI
Year: 2007-2008
- Housing and Office by Studio ARCI
9. Melik Azarianci Building
Architect: N. Obelinski
Year: 1900
- Melik Azarianci Building
8. Former Building of National Bank
- Former National Bank Building
7. The 6th School on Asatiani str.
Architect: Alexander Ozerov
Year: 1893
- The 6th School on Asatiani str. Photo: teasblogi.wordpress.com
6. House of Justice
Architect: Masimiliano and Doriana Fuksas
Year: 2010-12
- Studio Fuksas – Justice House in Tbilisi
5. Office Building
Architect: Architectural Bureau
Year: 2012
- Office Building by Architectural Bureau.
4. Ministry of Justice
- Ministry of Justice
3. Avetik Ghukasiani House
Architect: Paul Stern
- Avetik Ghukasiani House.
2. Prosecutor’s office
Architect: Architects of Invention
Year: 2012
- Tbilisi Prosecutors Office by Architects of Invention
1. Bank of Georgia
Architect: Giorgi Chakhava, Zurab Jalaghonia.
Year: 1975
- Bank of Georgia Head Quarters. Photo: Mwvanevashli.wordpress.com
Author: Nanuka Zaalishvili
English Edit: Nino Namoradze
Cover Photo: Bryan Solarski


