also known as Andropov’s Ears; the building has been demolished

location: 41.703671317872946, 44.79178696870035 

architects: Otar Kalandarishvili and Gaioz Potskhishvili

date: 1983

In the 1980s, plans were made to redevelop a deep, unused ravine near the Rustaveli metro station. Due to the heavy traffic in the area, the goal was to transform this vast space into a Republic Square that would serve both transportation needs and provide a venue for large public gatherings. The project was led by architects Otar Kalandarishvili and Gaioz Potskhishvili, who had previously worked together on the Nutsubidze Plateau residential complex in 1974-1975, where they also faced the challenges of Tbilisi’s mountainous terrain. For Republic Square, they envisioned a multifunctional space where cars could move freely during the week, but which could easily be transformed into a pedestrian zone on weekends. The design also included an ambitious three-level underground passageway system covering 20,000 square meters for cultural and commercial activities, although these plans were never fully realized.

To make Republic Square suitable for public events such as parades and demonstrations, the unsightly rear facade of the Melik-Azaryants residential complex on the southwest side had to be concealed. The solution was a striking concrete structure: a series of seven arches with a podium. Officially named the “Spatial Arcade of the Tribune of the Celebration Square,” it was nicknamed “Andropov’s Ears” by locals, a reference to USSR leader Yuri Andropov, due to the distinctive shape of the arches.

In the 21st century, following the political changes in Georgia, the square underwent significant changes. Renamed Rose Revolution Square after the 2003 political movement, the area was transformed. In 2005, the administration of President Mikheil Saakashvili ordered the removal of Andropov’s Ears as a symbol of the Soviet past. Today, the large open space is primarily used for traffic, the underground area has been converted into a nightclub, and a large event hall now stands in place of Andropov’s Ears.

Sources and Further Reading

Gurgenidze, T., & Weber, S. Tbilisi’s Rose Revolution Square: A Political Showcase. Published on Failed Architecture

Description and photographs of a nightclub built beneath Rose Revolution Square within a space originally designed in the 1980s as part of an underground communal complex. Published on MAU

text by Elena Lisitsyna

photos from pastvu.com