Prominent Armenian architect’s house demolished in Yerevan (video)

The house of famous Armenian architect Rafael Israelyan, located on Saryan Street in Yerevan, was demolished on Monday for a new hotel to be built there.

Architects have said that due to the historical characteristics of the street, the hotel will not have too many stories.

Engineers working on the site are working with a special care: they have even preserved some of the stones in their entirety.

According to the outline by Alexander Tamanyan who authored the main plan of capital Yerevan, Saryan Street was planned to become the Armenian Montmartre.

The house that once belonged to Rafael Israelyan was also part of Tamanyan’s plan.

Rafael Israelyan has authored the construction of dozens of buildings such as the Arc of Charents (prominent Armenian poet Yeghishe Charents), the Monument of Sardarapat, Yerevan Wine Factory and other buildings.

Some of the plans of the building constructed under his supervision, Israelyan had designed in this house.

Following his death the third floor of the building was used as a venue to exhibit some of the plans authored by him. However, his house was never given the status of a museum and was later sold.