New Tiflis project in pictures: How Aghmashenebeli Ave has changed

Today is a big day for Georgia’s capital Tbilisi.

The first phase of the Government-initiated New Tiflis project has ended and the renewed Aghmashenebeli Ave in central Tbilisi will open.

Take a look at Tbilisi’s historic street and see how it changed after the major restoration.

April 2016: The New Tiflis project was announced in February 2016. Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said the project would renovate the old, historic city, add new tourist routes and create more recreation zones for locals to enjoy. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

September 2016: After several months of intense works, today is the first day Tbilisi locals and the city guests will enjoy the new views of the old street. Photo source:Tbilisi City Hall/Facebook

April 2016: This is one of 47 buildings on Aghmashenebeli Ave that were repaired and renovated within the New Tiflis project. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

August 2016: Of these 47, 38 buildings had the status of Cultural Monument. They all were rehabilitated to look exactly the same as in the past. Photo source: Tbilisi Development Fund/Facebook

April 2016: More than 200 professionals including architects, historians, urbanists, art critics and others worked with the Government to develop the urban environment plan for Tbilisi so its 1.5 million residents and visitors can enjoy the cultural and diverse landscape. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

September 2016: About GEL 30 million (about €11 million / $13 million USD) was spent from the Tbilisi city budget for the projects. Photo source: Tbilisi Development Fund/Facebook

April 2016: About 800 people were employed in the renovation project. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

August 2016: The main purpose was to bring the buildings as close to their initial appearance as possible. Photo source: Tbilisi Development Fund/Facebook

April 2016: A wall of one of the buildings on Aghmashenebeli Ave was transformed into a beautiful garden. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

September 2016: Building the green wall. Photo source: Tbilisi Development Fund/Facebook

April 2016: This is what the building looked like before the renovation. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

September 2016: And this is the final result. Photo source: Tbilisi Development Fund/Facebook

April 2016: Workers renovated not only the facades of the buildings but they entered into yards and renovated all structural and communication infrastructure. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

September 2016: Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said these efforts would significantly lift the price of real estate in Tbilisi. Photo source: Tbilisi Development Fund/Facebook

April 2016: Tbilisi Mayor David Narmania said some of the building were in such a poor condition they needed to be completely destroyed then re-built. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

September 2016: From now on Aghmashenebeli Ave residents will live in these modern homes. Photo source:Tbilisi City Hall/FacebookPhoto source: Tbilisi Development Fund/Facebook

April 2016: These houses on Aghmashenebeli Ave are more than a century old. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

September 2016: Now they have been turned into colourful, more stable residential buildings. Photo source:Tbilisi City Hall/FacebookPhoto source: Tbilisi Development Fund/Facebook

April 2016: An old building on Aghmashenebeli Ave. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

September 2016: This old district of Tbilisi has been returned to its former glory. Photo source: Tbilisi Development Fund/Facebook

Meanwhile the section from 44 Aghmashenebeli Ave to Saarbrucken Square was announced a pedestrian-only area.

Click on the map of Tbilisi to see all the city's new walking zones, marked in red, orange, green and blue colours. Renovated Aghmashenebeli Ave is part of the New Tiflis Route. 

The second phase of the New Tiflis project will see the area near the Dry Bridge and Orbeliani Street be renovated.