Built in 1950s, this beautiful building representing the Russian classicist architectural style first belonged to the National Institute of Sciences of Armenia. I’ve passed by this place very often in the past decades, but first noticed its emptiness in 2000, getting more and more curious about the reasons a nice building like this in such a central location had to stay empty.

From 1955, this was the laboratory of Armenak Mnjoyan, a doctor of chemical science, specialised in pharmaceutics, synthesis of physiologically active compounds etc. Then, between 1962-1981, it hosted a laboratory of chemical physics, and till 1992 it had a small experimental chemical factory.

I find all this important to highlight, because I didn’t like the rumors I heard about this building recently, and I hope they are not true. The rumors are that it’s been abandoned for such a long time (from the end of the ’90s till now) because, as a result of the many years of hosting chemical content, it became radioactive or harmful in some other way that relates to the scientific activity held inside. I may have been affected by it somehow too, as I worked in the neighboring building for months.

Academic Sergey Mergelyan was planning to make it a Scientists’ House and organize meetings of scientists from all over the world, but it never happened, either, although the sign “Scientists’ House” did hang on the door for a while.

Now this building is in a sad condition, has a sad dog and is for sale.