Georgia approves demolition of iconic Rike Concert Hall in Tbilisi

Georgian authorities have authorised the demolition of the long‑abandoned Rike Concert Hall in Tbilisi. The futuristic glass‑and‑steel complex, designed by Italian architects Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas, was never completed and never opened to the public after construction halted in 2012 following a change of government.

The demolition is intended to clear the site for a new hotel and mixed‑use development, with the current owner, Makro Constructions, required to finish the teardown by 25 December and submit a replacement project. The architects' studio condemned the decision, arguing the building could have been repurposed, while Tbilisi mayor Kaka Kaładze called the structure “a rubbish heap” and cited its poor technical condition. The move reflects broader urban renewal efforts and shifting political dynamics in Georgia’s pursuit of European integration.