What I can see

This is a building that survived the fire of 1917, although its roof and top floor were seriously damaged. It is eclectic, symmetrical, divided into base- main body –crowning. The vertical axes are emphasized by the pilasters and the openings and balconies are repeated rhythmically. The imposing crowning with the characteristic pediment stands out, the curve of which is morphologically similar to the smaller curves above the openings of the second floor.

What I can't see

The interior of the building is very interesting because, in addition to the remarkable staircase and the skylight that allows the flow of natural light, the arrangement of the spaces is governed by a pioneering flexibility for the time, which allows for a variety of uses and conversions. It was owned by the Bulgarians Ivan, Mitse and Spiro Surujievic. It housed insurance companies, a Russian shipping agency, the consulates of Spain and Japan, and there was a cafe for the dockworkers on the ground floor. It was commandeered during WWII and housed fire victims during the civil war. Afterwards, it was used as a residential building, later as a brothel, and finally, it has been empty for decades.

Info

• Address: 5 Navarchou Votsi St.

Bibliography