• Former Ministry of Roads

    Image: Oleksandr Burlaka under CC licence

  • Former Ministry of Roads

    Image: Oleksandr Burlaka under CC licence

  • Former Ministry of Roads

    Image: Oleksandr Burlaka under CC licence

Former Ministry of Roads

Giorgi Charkhava’s post-constructivist masterpiece is one of the most iconic Soviet buildings out there. Comprised of “horizontal skyscrapers” arranged like massive Jenga blocks above the river Mtkvari, the structure adorns many a “concrete porn” coffee table book on modernist buildings from the New East. Built in 1975 as the Ministry of Roads, it is now the headquarters of a major bank — tours can sometimes be arranged. Charkhava was both the architect and, as deputy minister of highway construction, the client for the project, which allowed him to realise his vision in 18 storeys of cantilevered steel and concrete. In what is surely a mark of respect, the citizens of Tbilisi know the building by a truly obscene nickname.

29a Gagarin Street