Residential Building of Cvetan Nikolić
Buildings/The residential building on Maksim Gorki Street is one of the oldest structures on this street that withstood the 1963 earthquake. The building was designed in 1936 by the engineer-architect Kosta Novaković. It is part of a perimeter block, in a row that follows the street frontage.
The entrances to the commercial spaces are on the street-facing façade oriented toward Maksim Gorki Street, while the entrance to the residential units is from a passage that leads to the inner courtyard of the block. The building's foundation is shaped like the cyrillic letter "G", with a protrusion in the form of a bay window in the central part of the street façade. The symmetry of the building is disrupted by one-sided balconies that create a small porch at the ground floor.
Architect Kosta Novaković
Year of design 1936
Investor / Owner Cvetan Nikolić
City / Municipality Skopje
/ Centar
Address Maksim Gorki St. No. 16
Floors B+GF+2+A
Original typology
Current purpose
Protection status not protected
- Building chronology (project, construction phases)There are two building plans for this property: 1928 - where the building features a ground floor and one upper floor 1936 - where the building features a ground floor and two upper floors The construction followed the second project with minimal changes, specifically the addition of a balcony facing the street. There is an apartment and shops on the ground floor. In the 2000s, an extension was added to the central part of the building, facing the street, at the attic level.Number of floorsB+GF+2+AProgram description (floor plan details)There are commercials spaces (facing the street) on the ground floor and one residential unit. The upper floors and the attic are used for residential purposes.StructureThe building was constructed with a massive load-bearing system and features a multi-pitched, sloped roof.RoofThe building features a multi-pitched, sloped roof on a wooden substructure.FaçadeThe façade is finished with plaster, free of ornaments. Shallow decoration appears around the window openings.CarpentryThe exterior and interior carpentry are made of wood.Interior / Communal spacesThe stairs in the circulation core are executed in terrazzo technique with a wooden handrail on a metal structure.ContextThe residential building is located in one of the perimeter blocks that form Maksim Gorki Street. The building is in a row and follows the street frontage. The surrounding buildings align with the cornice line of this building (considering the year of construction). The tendency to align the cornice and balcony lines is characteristic of the buildings on this street, constructed between the two world wars.
- RoofThe building features a multi-pitched, sloped roof on a wooden substructure.FaçadeThe façade is finished with plaster, free of ornaments. Shallow decoration appears around the window openings.CarpentrySome windows have been replaced with PVC frames. Aluminum doors and fixed windows (shop windows) have been installed on the ground floor. The authentic wooden windows are kept on the first and partially on the third floor.Interior / Communal spacesThe stairs in the circulation core are executed in terrazzo technique with a wooden handrail on a metal structure. The entrance doors on the first floor are white and made of wood (authentic), while the other entrance doors have been replaced.Exterior conditiongoodInterior conditionsatisfactoryExterior authenticitysatisfactoryInterior authenticitysatisfactoryModificationsThe ground floor has been completely renovated into a commercial space. The interior and exterior carpentry has been replaced. An additional floor has been added.
- not protected
- historical architectural and aesthetic societal/social emotional The building survived the 1963 earthquake and is etched in the city's memory. The building is in use. The emergence of this street as an agglomeration of the square is linked to the city's early urbanization.
- Recommendation to the owners: The value of the building should be respected when installing elements directly on the façades, and if changes are made, they should be aimed at preserving its authenticity.
- Boškova, D., Ađi-Mitreski, G., Golubovski, D., & Guleski, M. (1989). One street in Skopje: Maksim Gorki Street 1890–1987. State Archive of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje Department. Arch. No. 6.1.303.40/231-245.