Nicosia Old Municipal Market
This project revitalised the Nicosia Old Municipal Market, transforming a modernist 1960s landmark near the Buffer Zone into a centre for innovation and civic exchange. Earthquake-resistant and inclusively designed, the new AGORA hub supports urban regeneration and bicommunal cooperation in Cyprus.
Located near the Buffer Zone that still divides Nicosia, the Nicosia Old Municipal Market has been reborn as AGORA – a multifunctional civic hub combining heritage conservation, innovation, and inclusion. Designed in 1965 by architect Stavros Economou, the concrete modernist building originally housed a market on the ground floor and municipal offices above. After the city’s division in 1974, a section of the building was functioning as a neglected market while part of it was abandoned.
The recent restoration, led by architect George Tsaggarides for the Nicosia Municipality, was informed by extensive technical research and oral histories. In the absence of written records, interviews with original craftspersons and builders provided vital knowledge about materials and techniques. This was complemented by studies of post-war architecture in Cyprus and analysis of the reinforced concrete structure. The building was upgraded to meet current Eurocode standards for earthquake resistance, with a unified new foundation and discrete structural reinforcements preserving its fair-faced concrete surfaces and distinctive mosaic cladding.
With €5.5 million co-funding from the European Union and the Republic of Cyprus via the “THALIA 2021 – 2027” programme, the project represents a major investment in Nicosia’s historic centre. The restored building retains original architectural features while meeting the technical needs of its new occupant: CYENS Centre of Excellence, a research and innovation hub supported by local universities and international partners, such as UCL and the Max Planck Institute.
The AGORA hub now anchors the city’s emerging Creative Industries Quarter. It houses co-working spaces, labs, and cultural venues, and hosts events ranging from digital art festivals to inclusive skills training. Accessibility was a priority, with step-free routes, elevators, and digital infrastructure enabling full participation.
The project fosters civic renewal and social cohesion, notably through bicommunal partnerships with Turkish-Cypriot researchers and interns. CYENS engages with diverse audiences through youth programmes, digital literacy workshops, and community outreach, reaffirming the building’s legacy as a place of gathering and exchange.
Environmentally, the building integrated photovoltaic panels, daylighting strategies, and recycled materials, earning an Energy Performance Certificate A. Its reuse also avoids the emissions of demolition and new construction.
Located in a city still marked by division, AGORA now functions as a civic platform that connects research, tradition, and public life through the adaptive reuse of modernist heritage.
“This adaptive reuse project transformed a modernist-functionalist market located near the Buffer Zone of Nicosia into a centre of excellence, while preserving its original architectural character. Young professionals played a key role in the restoration,” the Awards’ Jury remarked. “The new AGORA hub has contributed to the revitalisation of a divided city by balancing historical preservation with economic and social sustainability,” the Jury added.
Contact: Nicosia Municipality | municipality@nicosia.org.cy | www.nicosia.org.cy