The Tobacco Tycoon's House

Дом табачного магната Лазаря Биниат-Оглы — одна из самых ярких и необычных архитектурных жемчужин старого Батуми. Это здание построено в начале XX века и считается одним из лучших образцов стиля модерн в Грузии. Дом сразу привлекает внимание асимметричной формой, оригинальным сочетанием кирпича, дерева и железобетона, а также изящным декоративным оформлением фасада, характерным для модерна.

Lazar Biniat-Ogly was an entrepreneur of Greek descent who moved to Batumi from the Ottoman Empire due to religious persecution. In 1882, he founded artisanal tobacco production in the city, which soon grew into one of Batumi’s first tobacco factories that played an important role in the city’s economic development. Thanks to his success in the tobacco business, Lazar Biniat-Ogly was able to build this house, which became a symbol of status and prosperity for his family.

Following the establishment of Soviet power, the building was nationalized and changed functions many times throughout its history: it housed the motorized rifle division headquarters, an officers' dormitory, an aeroclub, the House of Architects, and even a wax museum. For a long time, the house was known among locals as the "House of Architects" or the "mushroom". The building currently stands vacant, but continues to be a monument of national significance and an essential stop on a walk through the historic center of Batumi.