Little information about this building was found prior to writing this. I had known of the building as of a few weeks ago, located somewhat in the middle of nowhere on the outskirts of Saburtalo, in an area that is mostly debris from old Soviet buildings that didn't survive the decades going by, and a busy motorway that runs through the middle of the city. It's not an area you can easily walk through, and if you read through my previous travel post on the current Bank of Georgia building, it is located just behind it with a short walk down the road. I found my way to these two buildings by accident on a short walk through the area while searching for something to shoot. Surprised at the close proximity to the two. Happy to have stumbled across them based on the existing interest I had in roaming around them. Getting to the former Transcaucasia Power Control Centre wasn't easy despite how close it was. There was one crossing that ran through the motorway (Georgian roads with order area already a huge danger to anyone walking, and this was not a fun experience). with now traffic lights to promote stopping for anyone that might want to cross. It's not really an area that anyone really walks around either, cars mostly parked up by the road or at the building itself. It's a matter of having confidence and just throwing yourself into the crossing and hoping the speeding cars decide to at least slow down or stop for you. My interest was enough to have me do just that.
After visiting I tried to find some information on the building, and in English there doesn't seem to be much interest in it outside of a few architectural pages around the Internet, themselves relatively clueless on when it was built and what its initial purpose was. Though most seem to state it was formerly the Transcaucasia Power Control Centre which seems accurate based on the sheer number of pylons and cables that run to and from the building into the surroundings. Just opposite the building on the other side of the river is a series of Soviet era factories, a railway, and a large area dedicated to power substations. Supposedly the building was constructed in the 80s (it could pass for 70s, and I think that's more likely and coincides with the bank nearby) with the architects of the names of S. Katsitadze, G. Janberidze. It's an odd location for the building, though I do suspect that in the past there was more life on this side of the river, featuring more factories or sorts, and general buildings along the motorway. Not to forget a very likely number of Soviet nuclear bunkers that area hiding in plain sight due to the administrative nature of the former Ministry of Highway Construction, as well as this power centre. These days it stands almost alone. There's nothing quite like it around. Mountains begin on either side and behind the building leading upward into an empty region of the city above Saburtalo, and to its side leading higher into Didube. In a way it sits alone like a strange creation left behind from an alien race, forgotten about in time as everyone manages to surround it, but not pay attention to it.
These days the building is still running, however. It's now home to the largest radio station in the city. As well as a number of smaller ones. This gives it its current name of Radio Holding Fortuna. Though from Google Maps it appears numerous businesses operate in and around the building due to the many rooms it holds. Ranging from wine production to technological developments. At my time of exploration the carpark was almost packed. People stood around talking to each other, and many deliveries were going into the building. I wanted to go inside too, incredibly tempted to open that front door and explore the interior, though half-expecting there to be security of some sort. Many windows revealed the empty interior that almost looked abandoned. A small front-desk to the left. I couldn't tell whether there was anyone there. I didn't feel like getting yelled at or escorted out today, admittedly. Though I'm sure that time will come as my curiosity will get the best of me and I'll want to explore the building and its surroundings more. I think it's perfect for a little drone shoot sometime. A short hike up the mountain behind the building for that additional perspective. And these different perspectives around the building are definitely important. To the right of the building are remaining Soviet monuments. One of the main wall detailing the Soviet workers, communist ideology of the various groups of people that construct and support the infrastructure of the city.
At the top of the building was another monument that showed a similar subject, though it was a bit too high to figure out what exactly it was trying to say. Beneath that was something of the past, no longer remaining but a clear indication of what was once hanging in the centre, mighty and tall: the hammer and sickle of the Soviet Union. Largely removed from the city and various buildings and monuments throughout the last few decades with the Georgian government once establishing a law forbidding its presence. It's a common sight in much of Tbilisi. Clear remnants of that hammer and sickle, clear in its shape, now left behind are the wires and frames that once held the symbolic icons that would drive the nation forward, powering its people with morale and leading to such imaginative creations in architecture and design. Generating a much deserved name of Socialist Modernism. Standing at the bottom of the steps, looking up at what would've been that symbol, the building towering above like a strange monolithic temple to some strange Gods. Old and unused streetlights on either side remain with much of the surroundings overgrown and unkept. I walked up the steps and felt as some moved, some already crumbled and others still in decent shape. Cautious with each step as a result. I had never seen such a building before, not here in Georgia in comparison to the other Soviet structures, and not in Armenia where it holds its own strange identity from the same era.
I wanted to walk inside, but also to the right and behind the building, but beneath the main monument I saw the shabbiest looking stray dog, which somehow knew of my presence and looked up at me, straight into my soul. Quite a large thing, and that instantly set me off to the other side before it noticed me enough to perhaps start coming my way. Another reason to explore the area with the drone a bit. Especially since that side of the building had another strange building to the side that seemed somewhat built into the side of the mountain. Remember the aforementioned nuclear bunkers? Very likely one sits there, remaining in rust in dust as it speaks of an anxiety from another time. Though the monuments on the sides of the building said otherwise, industrial and collective might. I was glad that these were still somewhat untouched. And it was nice to see that the building wasn't entirely abandoned and still had a lot of function to it. Very little of it felt like it had been rapidly decaying, and little of it seemed neglected to the point in which that might start happening soon. Its interior from what I could see in the windows seemed clean, not entirely modernised but good enough. That was a nice thing to notice.
If you're heading to explore the current Bank of Georgia building, keep an eye out for this unique gem that sides behind it. Almost alone. There's some truly rich history that remains here and would usually be gone if it did sit in a more populated area of the city. History remaining due to the inconvenience of getting to it, with the fortunate laziness of its anti-communist groups. I do hope that the history remains here. And that the building can get a bit more attention to ensure it survives many more decades. There aren't many like this throughout Georgia, and certainly not to this scale in Armenia. Definitely one of its kind in style. The epitome of brutalism. No harmony with nature. Just huge a rectangle of concrete and small square windows.