Many in Tskhinval are against the demolition of the city’s oldest building

In South Ossetia there are ongoing arguments surrounding the Iriston hotel which is one of the oldest buildings in Tskhinval.

The hotel was constructed in 1937, is considered an architectural monument and has been included in the special architectural register of South Ossetia. However, a decision has now been made to tear it down.

In its place the authorities plan to build a new hotel but intend to retain the design of Iriston’s façade. The project is financed via an investment program who’s funds have been allocated by Russia. There is also a co-investor: an entrepreneur from North Ossetia, Vadim Berdiev.

The overseers of the project claim that the building is an old one and time-worn. However, the community has been voicing their unhappiness on the decision to demolish the building.

Many are talking about how the Iriston was a symbol of the city and the building could have been restored. What infuriates locals even more is the fact that the decision was made without the announcement of a tender.

“The thickness of the walls of the building is about one meter. It was built of brick which was produced in Tskhinval, it was of good quality… better than what they build homes out of today. The condition of the building is not critical in any way, nor dangerous,” Forik Djioev, a restorer and constructor said in an interview with the local media portal Alania-Inform.

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