Tbilisi City Hall has issued a permit to demolish the Rike Docks, with the dismantling of the structure required to be completed by December 25.
The permit was issued by the City Hall’s Architecture Service, which approved the removal of the building located in Rike Park.
The Rike Docks were built during the United National Movement government and have remained unused for years. The state sold the property in 2022, after six failed attempts, for GEL 10.02 million.
The facility was initially purchased by Global Victory Trust, a company owned by businessman David Khidasheli, who has been described as close to Georgian Dream founder and honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili. In May 2025, the property was transferred to Khidasheli’s company, Rike Dom.
Under the terms of the 2022 auction, the buyer was required to invest at least GEL 20 million and create a museum dedicated to wine, digital art and technology, as well as exhibition and conference spaces within 36 months.
A government decree issued in May 2025 revealed plans to demolish the Rike Docks and build a hotel on the site.
Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze said the decision to dismantle the structure was made by the private owner, while the City Hall’s Architecture Department issued the permit after the project met all required conditions.
Kaladze said the building had remained unused for years and had become a “garbage dump.” He added that the demolition was approved with the involvement of the Cultural Heritage Protection Council.
“This is private property. The building has been in poor condition for years and was completely non-functional. The visual appearance of the building is a matter of taste, but it did not fit into the existing space in any way. The private owner decided to dismantle it and implement a new project,” Kaladze said.
The mayor added that the owner has not yet submitted a new development plan for the area but will do so after the dismantling is completed. Kaladze expressed confidence that, with the involvement of relevant specialists, “one of the best projects” would be implemented in Rike.
