Designs have been revealed for a mixed-use development that will transform a prominent site in Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, into a culturally resonant and vibrant new quarter of the city. At the heart of the scheme, the World Trade Center Yerevan comprises two distinct towers – an office building alongside a hotel and residential building – that vertically connect and share amenities at three points. A new public plaza extends the nearby Diana Abgar Park, reflecting Yerevan’s history as a garden city. The scheme is further animated by retail and entertainment venues and anchored by a second vibrant public space at the base of the towers.
Niall Dempsey, Senior Partner, Foster + Partners said:
“We are delighted to present our design for the masterplan in Armenia’s capital. Our new development is in close dialogue with the country’s history and culture. The low-rise buildings seamlessly stitch into the wider urban fabric, while the towers are elevated above ground level, freeing up 50 percent of the site and making an important contribution to the life of the city.”
Artashes Tonoyan, CEO, World Trade Center Yerevan, said:
“WTC Yerevan is conceived as a next-generation mixed-use destination that brings together business, culture, and community. It is designed to help shape Yerevan’s economic and urban future, strengthen its international connections and create new ways for people to work, meet, and experience the city.”
The scheme occupies an area of the city defined by renowned Armenian architect Alexander Tamanian in his landmark 1924 masterplan. Conceived to transform Yerevan into a garden city, Tamanian’s plan laid the foundation for its current form. More than 100 years later, the new design seeks to connect Yerevan’s architectural heritage with its future, while creating vibrant new spaces that contribute to public life.
The project extends the central green axis of the park to a podium at the base of the towers. Upon arrival, visitors, employees, and residents are welcomed by a vibrant plaza oriented around a row of central fountains and flanked by hospitality and retail spaces. A pedestrian walkway between the towers intersects with the historic Frik Street, which is preserved, and connects to a second public space.
Featuring indoor and outdoor entertainment, a theatre, hospitality and retail offerings, music venues and a large events space, these amenities weave the historic fabric of Yerevan into the new development, while providing a vibrant and accessible public space for the city. Designed to accommodate up to 3,000 people, the events venue will establish the development as a major new cultural destination in Yerevan.
The two towers both have a split-core for flexible floor planning, coupled with concrete frames and steel bracings. Owing to the city’s location in a seismically active zone, the towers are engineered to respond effectively. The towers’ three connecting points feature a range of amenities, including landscaped terraces, which are shared by hotel guests, residents, and office workers. The articulated structural expression is made up of stacked seven-storey blocks, with distinctive glass-panelled façades, that create a dynamic presence on the skyline and offer expansive views of the city’s landmark monuments.
Juan Frigerio, Partner, Foster + Partners, added:
“Our scheme celebrates the outdoor life of the city by connecting the urban fabric with public spaces, ensuring our new interventions work in harmony with the historic grain. To the north of the towers, the events plaza responds to the significant St John the Baptist Church and its forecourt, creating a seamless connection between old and new.”
The project is defined by its relationship to the city and its culture. Both towers are oriented to ensure that each building offers views of the area’s significant landmarks, which include the National Assembly of Armenia, the Armenia National Opera and Ballet, Mount Ararat, and the Genocide Memorial.
The site is elevated at one of the highest points of the city, with a pair of subterranean pedestrian tunnels that cut through the rock beneath. Accommodating this constraint, the plaza features a series of articulated staircases that enable smooth and intuitive movement through the development.
It is the first project in Armenia to target LEED and WELL Gold certification and is designed to be net zero ready, setting a new benchmark for sustainable design.
Read more on fosterandpartners.com