Exhibition dedicated to the history of the AOKS building at the Afrikyans House
On April 18, the International Day for Monuments and Sites, the Keron Development Foundation launched a special exhibition aimed at drawing public attention to the importance of preserving historical and cultural heritage with a particular emphasis on engaging the youth. The exhibition is open to visitors on the ground floor of the Afrikyans Mansion until May 18, the Museum Night.
Valuing the preservation and restoration of Armenia’s historical and cultural heritage, Keron carries out the revitalization of the AOKS building, located at 3 Abovyan Street, as well as the Afrikyans historic house at 38 Pushkin Street, reviving their historical spirit and significance.
While walking along Pushkin Street, it is hard to miss the 124-year-old building made of black tuff stone, which attracts the attention of both city residents and tourists. Designed by the talented 20th-century architect Vasily Mirzoyan, it is one of the rare surviving pre-Tamanian carved structures in Yerevan.
The Afrikyans, who owned the building, played a significant role in the socio-economic life of Yerevan. They established wine, brandy, and vodka productions, cotton processing facilities, and a canning factory, and contributed to the development of the water supply system of the city. In 1911, they initiated the construction of a dedicated pipeline that brought drinking water to Yerevan, and the city continues to be supplied from the infrastructure to this day.
The building’s interior is distinguished by painted ceilings of 6 meters, checkered accent walls made of tuff of many colors, and unique clay-built fireplaces. Ten different types of fireplaces were preserved, each with its own distinctive style, while the painted ceilings resemble Renaissance-era works of art.
Today, the Afrikyans house is home to the office of the Keron Development Foundation. Thanks to restoration works, the building’s historical and architectural value was carefully preserved. Since April 2025, the Foundation has been monthly organizing open house events, and live music regularly played from the balconies adds a distinctive Yerevan atmosphere to the space.
The AOKS building at 3 Abovyan Street also occupies an important place in Yerevan’s historical and cultural heritage. Ordered by surgeon Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, it was built in 1914–1915, based on the design of architect Boris Mehrabyan. The first floor of the building once housed one of the first private surgical hospitals in Yerevan, which in the Soviet years transformed into the first Tropical Institute in Armenia.
In 1944, the building was allocated to the Armenian Society for Friendship and Cultural Cooperation with Foreign Countries (AOKS), which contributed to the development of international cultural cooperation. A number of exhibitions, conferences, and cultural events were held here, along with the publication of the multilingual bulletin Armenia Today.
In 2022, the building was added onto the State List of Immovable Monuments of History and Culture of Armenia. In 2023, the land ownership was transferred to the Republic of Armenia. In an auction held in 2024, Keron together with its partners—the Nork Group of Companies and Maison Marom Group—acquired the right to a 10-year lease for the building.
Soon, this historic space will reopen its doors as a unique center for art, fashion, and creativity. Comprehensive restoration works arе in full swing with the full restoration of windows being carried out with a phased approach.
From April 18 to May 18, an exhibition dedicated to the history of the AOKS building will be held on the ground floor of the Afrikyans’ House. The visitors will be given the opportunity to explore the building’s rich background, as well as its architectural and cultural significance.
The program aims to promote cultural heritage sites and raise awareness among a wide audience, emphasizing that historical and cultural heritage is not only a reflection of the past, but also an important foundation for future development.
