Chonkadze Street

Chonkadze Street before and now

Going up to the end of Tchaikovsky street, we set against Mtatsminda and turn to the right, Chonkadze street. Now we stand in front of a magnificent building (Chonkadze st. 12 is on the left side of the street). It is Bozarjanz house, a tobacco manufac-turer (the beginning of the 20th century, architect Ogajanov). This house is one of the most interesting of the examples of the style "modern". Its foyer is decorated with tiles. The architecture of the house is in one style, which makes it especially interesting. The house is surrounded with the arc, laid with large light gray stone, with the overhung balcony with carved balustrade above. This threestorey mansion of Bozarjanz brothers received a special architectural award at the contest, organized by Tbilisi mayor authorities in 1915 for the best facade. People still call it "the house of Madam Bozarjanz ". Why "Madam"? Because rich businessmen in order to prevent themselves from bankruptcy and other financial misfortunes rewrote their realty to the names of their wives and family folks - for a rainy day. When Bolsheviks came to power, this trick did not work. The mansion was requisitioned, though two rooms were left to Madam. New lodgers appeared in this house - among them was Lavrenti Beria. By the way, it is in this house, where scenes of many films were taken, among them "Data Tutashkhia".