Another of Tirana’s historic villas was demolished yesterday.
Villa Pustina was built between 1925 and 1927 on Rruga Qemal Stafa. The owners lived there until around 1945 when it was seized by the Communist state. Following the fall of the regime, it was recovered by family members. According to The Albanian House, they were unable to come to an agreement on how to share or manage the villa. In addition to this, the government was not interested in giving it protected monument status. As a result, it was left to deteriorate.
The villa is described as a fine example of historical architecture that retains a number of original features that demonstrate the wealth of the family that owned it. These include tiling, plasterwork, and ornate frames, motifs, and columns.
Earlier this year, it was reported that a decision to demolish it and to built an apartment block in its place had been taken yet no date had been given.
Yesterday, photo’s were published on social media showing that demolition of the villa had started.
This is the latest in a long line of demolitions of historic buildings to make way for residential construction in Tirana. There are very few old buildings left in the city with most dating from the communism period onward.
