The Municipality of Nicosia has taken the first substantial step paving the way for the rejuvenation of the Nicosia Municipal Gardens, by announcing a short-term architectural competition.
According to what is stated in the tender documents, the Municipality of Nicosia, within the framework of its development planning and long-standing commitment to the protection, management and promotion of the city's cultural heritage, wishes to proceed with the rejuvenation of the Nicosia Municipal Gardens.
As specifically stated, the renovation project seeks to highlight this important architectural and historical legacy, as well as upgrade it.
At the same time, the project aims, in combination with other public projects underway in the area, to revitalise the urban environment and upgrade public space, for the benefit of the residents and visitors of the city of Nicosia.
The history of the Municipal Gardens
It is worth mentioning that the location makes up the largest municipal gardens situated within Nicosia. It provides a green lung for the capital and a gathering point for residents, and has been declared a Preserved Site.
The Gardens were reconstructed in 1968-69 according to designs by the late Neoptolemos A. Michaelides and today, although neglected, remains a landmark of Nicosia, while over the years it has hosted generations of residents.
It is noted that the renovation of the Nicosia Municipal Gardens will be co-financed by the Revitalisation Fund. In the first phase, a Masterplan will be designed for the entire Municipal Gardens area, which will determine the type of interventions and the phases of implementation of the project.
The cost is €4.1 million
It is recalled that, based on what the Mayor of Nicosia, Charalambos Prountzos, had emphasised in his recent statements, the preliminary estimate of the cost of the project amounts to €4.1 million, plus VAT.
However, for the Municipality of Nicosia, the main priority in the implementation plan is the restoration of the listed building of the Nursery and the Playground area.
In fact, the Municipality anticipates that the repair and restoration works of both the Nursery and the Playground will help create a welcoming and safe space for users, while preserving and highlighting the Municipal Gardens' historical character and all the special elements that make it an important example of cultural heritage.
Jury Committee
It is also worth noting that within the framework of the Architectural Competition, the Municipality of Nicosia has established a seven-member Jury, which consists of:
- Koula Ioannou, Civil Engineer / Representative of the Client -Chair
- Phivos Iacovides, Architect / Client Representative - Member
- Yiola Kourou, Architect / Client Agonotheti - Member
- Elena Sofianou Olympiou, Architect / ETEK Representative - Member
- Athena Aristotelous - Cleridou, Architect and Urban Planner, ETEK Representative - Member
- Ioanna Evagorou, Architect / Representative of the Cyprus Architects Association - Member
- Yiannis Agisilaou, Architect / Representative of the Cyprus Architects Association - Member.
The awards
The said Jury, according to the Competition documents, will evaluate the studies submitted and will award the best ones with the following prizes and distinctions:
- 1st prize: €20,000
- 2nd prize: €15,000
- 3rd prize: €12,000
- Commendation (up to 3): €3,000 (each)
The schedule
It is noted that, based on the timetable that has been set, the Competition will conclude on November 10, while the results will be announced on 1 December.
(1) Announcement of the Competition — 17/08/2026*
(2) Deadline for the submission of questions — 04/09/2026
10 working days after the announcement
(3) Publication of the answers on the Competition website — 11/09/2026
5 working days after the date referred to in (2)
(4) Deadline for the submission/sending of the studies — 10/11/2026
40 working days after the date referred to in (3)
(5) Announcement of Results — 01/12/2026
15 working days after the date referred to in (4)
*Note: The summer vacation period, i.e. the period 17-23 August, is not included in the schedule.
(Source: InBusinessNews)
