Tbilisi and the rest of Georgia have been at a crossroads for decades. This stems from previous political unrest, and it is immediately apparent as you walk through its capital city’s streets. We’re discussing architecture, specifically the blending of old and new. The Soviet legacy, as well as the ambitious projects attempting to revitalize the landscape.

To better understand the architectural boom that Tbilisi has experienced in recent years, we invited Georgian investor David Kezerashvili for a discussion about current trends and, of course, to learn more about his latest project in the city, Vake Plaza.

What are your thoughts on Tbilisi’s current architecture?

To better answer your question, I’ll set aside my real estate investor status and approach it from the perspective of someone born in Tbilisi. Tbilisi has an exceptionally rich architectural history, with strong Armenian, Byzantine, and Hausmann influences. However, one cannot ignore the communist remnants that have sadly taken over the landscape. Suffocating neighborhoods with old apartment buildings will have the unintended consequence of transporting you back to the 1980s. We are seeing encouraging signs of progress.

Recent projects, such as the Tbilisi Public Service Hall, are breathing new life into the city’s landscape and modernizing the architecture overall. I should also mention the Tbilisi Biennial as a platform that has created a cultural network that has resulted in continuous architectural improvements.