Significant Changes in Creating a New View of Tbilisi
The FINANCIAL
Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia will soon have a new face. In 2010 significant architectural changes are planned, among them the Glass Bridge on Rike, connecting the left and right banks of Mtkvari.
Though there is no official information about the Rike project on government websites, it has become clear that ultra modern, "cosmic" construction is planned. Different companies from all around the world took part in the competition announced by the Georgian Government. Some of them even look extraterrestrial in their design.
Construction is already in progress. The importance of the Rike Bridge was underlined by President Saakashvili recently when introducing the new Palace to pupils visiting his residence.
"One of the best parks in Europe will be built on Rike," Mikheil Saakashvili, President of Georgia, declared in his speech.
In the development of the Rike project different groups of architects worked together, including Italian and Japanese architects. The project by Shin Takematsu Architect and Associates was one of the participants that was rejected.
The final version of the project has not yet been prepared. There is a plan to build a twenty one-foot bridge that will connect two benches, 10 metres away from the Mtkvari bench there will be pedestrian walkway, then the present road will shift back to where previously there were restaurants. Rike will become a place like Sharden, there will be spaces for office, restaurants, cafe-bars and hotels. The most space will be allocated for green places.
Another project is focused on development of trade and entertaining center.
"The final stage of project planning is underway and will be completed after the New Year" says Ta-muna Dvali, representative of the press centre of City Hall.
At present a Tunnel project is being carried out on Rike that will link the old tunnel with Baratash-vili Bridge, the project will be finished at the end of the year 2010.
Tbilisi residents had some complaints against City Hall for not providing enough information about Rike. The Billboard describing the project's contents, its starting and finishing dates is not available.
Rike bridge will be the fourth ultramodern glass construction built in Tbilisi.
The first one was the convention centre build by the famous billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili. The giant glass construction is located next to Tbilisi's botanical garden, the second project, Pixel 34 was opened in 2009. It is located on Chavchavadze avenue. Pixel Centre incorporates cutting edge design with modern environmentally sound architecture and superior Class A+ performance specifications. Pixell 33 is designed by German architects Wandel-Hoefer-Lorch.
The third glass project was also ordered by the Georgian Government. This is the Office Building for the Ministry of Internal Affairs located near the Kakheti highway between Tbilisi International Airport and the city centre. It was also designed as a landmark for Tbilisi and Georgia. This modern building has a 3,580 sq.m area curving basement and ground floor despite having a linear form of first and second floors. The main building designed by M-Ofis Architecture has 10,579 sq.m total area located in the middle of the site as a little bit closer to the highway, while the site area of the project has a 49,652 sq.m area.
Other significant changes
A 2,800 meter highway building that will link Varazis Khevi with Tamarashvili Street has been started.
The project is carried out by Georgian-Germany company Caucasus Road Project and 30.8 million GEL is allocated from the 2009 Tbilisi budget.
River Vere Valley will be a wooded park from Gmirta Square to Tamarashvili Street. There will be five bridges over the river Vere. The project will be finished at the end of the year 2010.
Development Solutions LLC is undertaking three main projects in Tbilisi: Rose Revolution Square, Telegraph Business Centre and Sakanela Project. These projects are planned to be finished in 4-5 years time.
"The unique thing about DS in that we always choose the best during the architectural planning stage. The master plan of the Rose Revolution Square project was drafted by London-based LAB Architects - author of the famous Federation Square, (Melbourne, Australia)," says Tengiz Lomitash-vili, Marketing Manager of Development Solutions.
Rose Revolution Square, according to the project, is assumed to become the city's most visited destination.
It will be turned into a pedestrian square, like in major European capitals, which will include a several-storey high class shopping centre, restaurants, cafes, other food and beverage facilities, cinema, supermarket, and areas of public events. The square will be fully supported by an underground parking facility.
The Telegraph Business Centre and Sakanela projects are in the process of planning and initialization.
Telegraph Business Centre is the new brand name that refers to the former Central Post and Telegraph Building.
The project envisions full-scale renovation of the building into a modern high-class office facility, which will probably be the largest high class business centre of its kind in the centre of the city. It will be done in accordance with the class A office standards, established by the industry consultants. The offices will be supported by covered parking.
Due to the changed market reality the company is revising the entire Sakanela project. Within a few months a revised architectural and concept proposal will be available for the public.
Axis is building a Class A Business-Centre - Axis Towers - located in Vake, on Chavchavadze avenue.
"At present the project has been paused and we are planning to continue building in the first quarter of 2010," says Revaz Nizharadze, Marketing Manager of Axis. The total budget allocated for the project is 50 million GEL. 11 million GEL has already been invested.
Axis-Towers is a classical example of a modern A-class business-centre where all conditions for business activity are available.
The complex represents an ensemble of two 38 floor high-rise buildings: Glass Tower and Stone Tower and low buildings located around them. The towers will have the form of a trapezium and each floor is turned by two degrees against the lower creating a revolving form of facade in the vertical.
Office spaces will be located in both stone and glass towers of the building and the last floor of the platform of the building.
Each floor provides 500 sq metres of office space that can be divided into four separate parts. In regards to flexible supply, this enables four different companies to occupy 110 sq metres of space with isolated entrances. Because of the separate entrances offices will be quiet and business oriented.
The retail and food court area will occupy 16,000 sq. meters, including a 3 floor shopping centre, restaurant and 1 floor food court.
