In 2019, we started the rehabilitation project of the building located at Rome Street N4, commissioned by the Tbilisi Development Fund, that was an interesting challenge for us, as the building has been granted the status of a cultural heritage monument. First we studied the history of the building and every detail of it, invited artists-restorers and started working with our professional team.
The building is distinguished by rare artistic-architectural value. Above the windows are bas-reliefs of the patronymic of the owner of the building, Giorgi Kartvelishvili, and the crowning artistic detail of the building is a beautiful dome with a woman's head.
The stories developed in this house are noteworthy: in 1881-1882 Giorgi Kartvelishvili started to take care of the publication of Shota Rustaveli's "Tigerskin" and a commission was formed, whose members were: Ilia Chavchavadze, Ivane Machabeli, Raphael Eristavi, Dimitri Bakradze, Petre Umikashvili and Ioana Meunargia.
The publishing house of the newspaper "Iveria" was one of the initiatives, which was founded in this house, under the leadership of Ilia Chavchavadze.
Giorgi's son, Nikoloz Kartvelishvili, continued his father's path with similar success. He rebuilt his father's house and built a European-style façade based on an old structure. This was one of the earliest Art Nouveau buildings in Tbilisi, the architect of which was also the Georgian architect Svimon Kldiashvili. Nikoloz invited foreign artists to create the interior of the house. They created completely unusual stories from the life of mythical gnomes, spectacular views of Venice landscapes or oriental, luxurious interior.
If you look at the houses, at the entrance you will often meet the word written in Latin letters on the mosaic floor - "SALVE", which means "Salami" in Georgian. This is the only house in Tbilisi, which is written in Georgian letters - "Salami".
Our team continues the rehabilitation work with great care and pride to restore the building to its original appearance and visual history.
