The most beautiful building on the yellow cobblestones – the former headquarters of DZI on Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. in the heart of Sofia has become the corporate office of Hydrostroy JSC.
Georgi Fingov, Nikola Yurukov, and Dimo Nichev are the authors of the monumental building. The same trio of designers also Created other emblematic buildings in the capital, such as the former Sofia Bank on “Moskovska” Street and the Bulgarian Commercial Bank.
The construction of the building of the Official Cooperative Savings Insurance Company began in the fall of 1914. Then Andrey Lyapchev, Kiril Popov, Todor Vlaikov, and other prominent Bulgarians decided to build an impressive building to house the insurance company. Construction lasted for 12 years and was completed in 1926.
The building consists of six floors and an attic. It has a basement, a ground floor with cash lounges, six floors for office space, and a total built-up area of 10,620 sq. m. The tall building ends with an eight-walled dome.
With its unique sculptural composition of three figures, it is undoubtedly the most valuable element in this building. The prominent sculptor Ivan Lazarov entrusted Todor Deliradev with executing the work, which is made of white Vratsa marble. The facade and overall appearance of the building are designed in a late secession style influenced by modern classics.
After September 9, 1944, the building was nationalized and became the headquarters of the State Insurance Institute (DZI). The new owner is the Maveli investment company, part of the Hydrostroy corporate family, and the appearance of the building will be fully preserved, as part of the immovable cultural heritage.
