History of the House

Built between 1881 and 1889, this two-story brick house is a significant piece of Batumi's cultural heritage. It originally belonged to Prince Mikheil Nakashidze, an aristocratic entrepreneur and member (Khmosani) of the Batumi City Council. The house quickly became a vibrant cultural hub, regularly hosting legendary Georgian figures like Ilia Chavchavadze and Akaki Tsereteli whenever they visited the city. Beyond politics and literature, Prince Nakashidze was quite forward-thinking—starting in 1912, he produced his own signature tea brand, proudly labeled "Tea of Prince M. M. Nakashidze."

Historical records confirm that Noe Zhordania also frequented the house. In March 1921, as the Democratic Republic of Georgia was falling to the Red Army, the government leadership spent their final nights in Batumi here before fleeing into exile. During those tense last moments, officials used the house's fireplace to burn sensitive archives, state documents, and papers to keep them from falling into Soviet hands. As Tamara Nakashidze remembers, the day after Noe Zhordania departed, a Menshevik seal was discovered while cleaning the fireplace. The seal was eventually presented to Patriarch Ilia II.

Adding to its rich lore, a popular local urban legend claims that the world-renowned marine artist Ivan Aivazovsky was a frequent visitor to the city, and painted his iconic seascapes right from the cozy balcony of this very building. 

Today, the house is officially listed as a cultural heritage site, standing as one of the finest and most distinctive examples of historic architecture in Batumi. It continues to be a living part of the city's vibrant culture: the ground floor is home to the famous restaurant Fanfan, a highly aesthetic and lively spot beloved by locals and travelers alike. Meanwhile, the second floor has been thoughtfully converted into beautiful boutique spaces available for short or long-term stays, allowing you to live inside a piece of Batumi’s history.

Rent Apartment 1

Rent Apartment 2