HISTORICAL BUILDINGS

1916, 1933

State Index: 1.6.94.4

Architects: Pavel Zurabyan, Alexander Tamanyan

The hospital is located near Abovyan Park.

In 1893, by decision of the Yerevan City Duma, a 12-bed inpatient department was established next to the outpatient clinic located on Behabutov Street (formerly Sverdlov, now Pavstos Buzand Street). The costs were covered by the city duma. The hospital building was small (it has not survived) and did not meet the healthcare needs of the city’s population. Therefore, the authorities rented nearby private houses while simultaneously beginning the construction of a new building.

In 1908, the city administration published information in the press announcing its intention to acquire land for hospital construction and announced a design competition for the new hospital building.

The well-known businessman Vasily Shustov donated his privately owned land on Astafyan Street (now Abovyan Street), along the bank of the Getar River, to the city free of charge. In order to ensure rapid construction, the businessman stipulated that the building must be completed within three years, otherwise the land would be returned.

In 1914, the foundation of the first building was laid. During the years of the World War I, only one of the planned six buildings was completed. In 1917, when the two-story, colonnaded structure made of black tuff was ready for use, it was converted into a military hospital for the Caucasian front.

In 1919, the First Republic of Armenia was proclaimed. The government invited Armenian doctors and specialists living abroad to help build the newly independent homeland. In 1919, the well-known physician Grigor Areshyan moved from Tiflis to Yerevan. With his active participation, the Yerevan City First Hospital was officially opened that same year.

In the 1920s–1930s, other medical institutions were built near the first hospital, as planned in Yerevan’s 1924 master plan (architect: Alexander Tamanyan). In 1933, the first building was reconstructed with an additional third floor. A hospital complex was formed, with the original black tuff building serving as its centerpiece.

In 2002, the city hospital became part of the Yerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi, allowing integration of academic and clinical medical training.

In 2015, restoration works were carried out.

The three-story building (including a high plinth) has an asymmetrical H-shaped floor plan with side wings. The central section features a portico with four columns of the Doric order, which also serves as the main entrance to the hospital.