Tbilisi authorities have approved the demolition of an unfinished cultural complex known for its futuristic design, prompting renewed debate over one of the Georgian capital’s most contentious architectural projects. The structure, composed of two silvery steel and glass tubes, is located in the historic Rike district and was erected between 2011 and 2012.

The complex, designed by Italian architects Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas, was intended to serve as a concert hall and exhibition space but never opened to the public. Construction halted when Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National Movement lost power to the Georgian Dream party in 2012, leaving the interior unfinished. The project had already consumed approximately $29 million of public funds, according to the Georgian fact-checking organization FactCheck.ge.

Municipal authorities granted approval for the dismantling earlier this month, with the site’s owner aiming to replace the structure with a hotel. The demolition was required to be completed by December 25. The Georgian Dream party’s move to remove the building has drawn criticism, with some accusing the ruling party of attempting to erase symbols linked to Saakashvili, who is currently imprisoned.

Saakashvili expressed strong opposition to the plan, labeling the complex a “world architectural and cultural masterpiece” and condemning the government’s decision to destroy a publicly funded asset. Massimiliano Fuksas, one of the building’s designers, also spoke out against the demolition.

Supporters of the complex view it as a representation of Saakashvili’s efforts to modernize Georgia rapidly following its Soviet-era legacy, while critics argue that the structure’s design clashes with Tbilisi’s traditional skyline. The controversy highlights the ongoing political and cultural tensions surrounding urban development and heritage in Georgia’s capital.