The building known as the House of Lions was built between 1898 and 1902 and is located on Dianai Street, at number 1.
It was built at the initiative of the Armenian merchant Dicran Emirzian, a very wealthy man. The Armenian community in Constanța left a remarkable architectural heritage, perhaps the most impressive of all the minority communities in the city. The only ones who could compare to the Armenian merchants in terms of imposing buildings were the wealthy Greek merchants.
The house was designed by architect Ioan D. Berindei and has two floors and an attic. The architectural style is eclectic, with influences from the Italian Neo-Renaissance and neoclassical accents. Thanks to the talent and professionalism of architect Berindei, the building has become one of the most memorable in Constanța, being considered an emblem of the peninsular area of the city.
An interesting fact is that this building in Constanta has a famous “sister” in Bucharest, also called Casa cu Lei, located on Calea Victoriei. The latter was built at the order of Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino, considered by many to be the richest Romanian of all time.
After the occupation of Constanta by German troops led by Marshal Mackensen, on October 22, 1916, the building was requisitioned by the Austro-Hungarian forces. The headquarters of the Imperial Administrative Council for the Eastern Provinces was established here. This protected the building from the destruction caused by Bulgarian soldiers and corresponded to the desire of Count Pal Loniay, the Austro-Hungarian civil administrator of Dobrogea, to live in an elegant residence.
In the early 1920s, immediately after the end of World War I, Casa cu Lei was transformed into a bank headquarters. Following a restoration carried out in the 1970s, the building became a restaurant. After the Revolution, during the democratic period, Casa cu Lei experienced a period of decline, reaching a state of oblivion today. Paradoxically, the building currently belongs to a person recognized as the most influential businessman in Constanța and one of the most important investors in Romania. However, like many other heritage buildings in the city, Casa cu Lei is neglected by its wealthy owners.
Sursa: heritageconstanta.com
