The Yerevan Municipality has unveiled an ambitious plan to complete and modernize the city’s iconic Cascade complex, with an investment of over 20 billion drams (approximately $50 million). The Cascade Cultural Hub project, led by a consortium of four companies under GTB Development LLC, is set for completion within five years.
The project will finally complete the unfinished upper section of the Cascade, a long-standing issue due to financial constraints. Designed by renowned French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, the plan aims to give the Cascade a fully realized and architecturally cohesive appearance, connecting it seamlessly to the 50th Anniversary of Victory Monument.
The redevelopment includes:
- A 1,000-seat concert hall
- A museum of contemporary art
- Studios and exhibition spaces
- Leisure and entertainment areas
- New infrastructure to improve accessibility and public engagement.
Upon completion, all newly constructed buildings and facilities will become municipal property, ensuring public ownership of the enhanced cultural hub.
Mayor Tigran Avinyan emphasized that no city budget funds will be allocated to the construction. Instead, the private consortium funding the project will be granted development rights in return.
Avinyan also addressed concerns about the long-delayed completion of the Cascade’s upper section, which had remained an unfinished, neglected, and underutilized space. He noted that after years of discussions, the city held a public vote to select the best architectural proposal.
The decision to move forward with the Cascade Cultural Hub was made after a public voting process. On September 29, the voting on the urban development program for the Cascade complex ended, with the results announced during a procedural meeting at Yerevan Municipality.
Two projects were put to the vote: Cascade Gardens and Cascade Cultural Hub.
The Cascade Cultural Hub received 55.6% of the votes, while Cascade Gardens secured 44.4%.
Mayor Avinyan noted that both projects were developed by internationally recognized architectural firms.
While the Cascade Gardens proposal was a more detailed and ready-to-implement plan, the Cultural Hub was ultimately chosen based on public preference. Avinyan suggested organizing a competitive selection process to invite investors, ensuring the best possible execution of the project.
In addition to the main reconstruction, the investing company has been given permission to build a multifunctional complex on the right side of the Cascade. Wilmotte will oversee the architectural design to ensure harmony between the new development, the existing Cascade, and the surrounding urban environment.
