Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze said the decision to demolish the so-called Rike Jugs was made by the private owner of the property, while the city’s Architecture Service issued a permit after all required architectural conditions were met.
Speaking to journalists, Kaladze said the building had remained unused for years and had become a neglected space. According to him, the demolition permit was also approved in coordination with the Cultural Heritage Protection Council.
“This is private property. The building had been in a difficult condition for years and was completely non-functional. The appearance of the building is a matter of taste, but it did not fit into the existing space. The private owner decided to demolish it and develop a new project,” Kaladze said.
The mayor noted that a new development plan for the site has not yet been submitted to City Hall, but the owner is expected to present it after the demolition is completed. Kaladze said he believes a high-quality project will be developed at Rike with the involvement of specialists.
The Rike Jugs, designed by Italian architect Massimiliano Fuksas, were originally planned as a concert hall and exhibition center. Construction started in 2011, with around GEL 75 million spent on the project. The property was later privatized, and under a 2025 government decision, the new owner was allowed to demolish the existing structure and develop a hotel project on the site.
