A historic modernist building in central Nicosia has been given a new lease of life. The former Polykatoikia Rigenas residential building has been converted into a 33-room student residence, while preserving its original lift, mosaic staircase and reinforced-concrete frame. To commemorate the building’s history, the original Polykatoikia Rigenas (“Rigenas House”) sign was retained above the entrance. It now serves as a symbolic link between the building’s past and its new use.
The property is owned by Gylito Properties. Works are still underway on the ground floor and basement to prepare commercial premises for opening and are close to completion. The restoration and redesign project was led by architect Panayiota Andreou. The works were carried out with the support of a grant from the Department of Lands and Surveys.
The main objective was not simply to repair an old building, but to bring it back to life. Instead of leaving an abandoned property in the centre of the capital, the project created a modern facility for young people while preserving the building’s character and its connection with Nicosia’s modernist heritage.
What was preserved during the restoration
During the renovation, later unauthorised additions and signs were removed from the façades and other alterations were reversed. At the same time, the key elements of the original architecture were retained:
- the reinforced-concrete frame;
- the central staircase with its original mosaic and railings;
- the metal lift installed when the building was originally constructed;
- the exposed reinforced-concrete columns on the ground floor and mezzanine.
The interior changes were designed to be as discreet as possible. Air-conditioning, fire-safety systems and other modern building services were installed while minimising interference with the original architecture.
The student rooms were designed with practicality and flexible use of space in mind. Common areas were arranged to encourage interaction between residents, while the building’s original circulation pattern was preserved.
One of the most difficult tasks was integrating modern electrical and mechanical systems. The building has smooth surfaces, thin floor slabs and an exposed structural system, leaving almost no ready-made concealed spaces for pipes and cables. Each new service route therefore had to be designed individually and with great precision. Further complications came from numerous layers of later finishes and unauthorised alterations. The actual condition of the structure and materials only became fully clear during the works, so the project had to be adjusted as the restoration progressed.
The main feature — rounded balconies
One of the building’s most distinctive features, according to architect Andreou, is its rounded corner balconies, which wrap around the street intersection. Their form recalls Streamline Moderne, an architectural style characterised by flowing lines, rounded forms and a sense of movement. Instead of a conventional sharp corner, the building curves gently, giving the façade a more dynamic appearance. This form is emphasised by continuous bands of windows that follow the curve of the façade. The horizontal composition is one of the characteristic principles of modernism: it helps distribute daylight more evenly inside while also highlighting the building’s horizontal lines when viewed from the street.
On the ground floor and mezzanine, the concrete columns were left exposed. Their texture creates a clear structural grid and becomes part of the architectural composition. Rather than concealing the frame, it was used as a visual framework for the large glass panels on the lower part of the building.
Student housing is changing Nicosia’s historic centre
The opening of MultiLiving Student Residence fits into the broader regeneration of Nicosia’s Old City. In 2026, student housing projects are actively developing in the historic centre: the municipality is implementing its own residences, while private investors are also converting existing buildings into student accommodation. According to the Mayor of Nicosia, the private sector planned to bring around 250 places to the market.
Growing interest in student housing is also linked to the development of university infrastructure in the centre of the capital. For example, the Cyprus branch of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens already offers students accommodation in restored residences in the historic centre. The renovation of Polykatoikia Rigenas therefore demonstrates how Nicosia’s historic architecture can be adapted to modern needs without erasing its original identity. Instead of being demolished or completely rebuilt, the building continues to be used in a new role — as part of the capital’s expanding student infrastructure.
