Batumi, Memed Abashidze Street No. 9
Brief description of the building:
This building was constructed in the early 20th century. It formerly housed a 17-room hotel named (Riviera,) owned by a certain individual named Iosifidi. The ground floor was originally occupied by commercial shops. Between 1918 and 1921, the building was home to the renowned Georgian public figure Memed Abashidze. Since 1992, part of the building has functioned as a memorial house-museum dedicated to his name.
This two-story building features a slightly projecting risalit at its right end, containing the main entrance, while a passageway to the courtyard is centrally located on the façade. Like many structures in Batumi, the building’s ground floor underwent later modifications, resulting in the loss of its original appearance. Currently, the ground floor façade is modest, punctuated only by rectangular door and window openings. The only remaining decorative feature on this floor is the rusticated framing with a central keystone around the rectangular doorway of the main entrance.
In contrast, the second floor façade is richly adorned with molded stucco detailing and decorative elements of varying profiles. The rectangular doors and windows are framed by profiled moldings topped by architraves supported by brackets. Some openings culminate in sculpted pediments, intricately decorated with figures, including lion heads, young men’s heads, and in some places, their full-body depictions. The second-floor balconies feature metal railings and roofing dating from various periods. The building originally ended with a segmented parapet; only fragments remain today, including a single segment of the decorative metal railing that once linked them.
This two-story building exemplifies a blend of Classical and Baroque architectural styles. Its proportions and volumes significantly contribute to the dense urban composition of the street. It is noteworthy for its high-quality construction craftsmanship and sophisticated use of decorative elements.
