The historical house of Vakil-o-Tojjar, which was earlier used for commercial purposes, has been reopened as a historical cafe-restaurant in Mohammadieh Square in Tehran.
After serving as the venue for several special cultural and art events, the repurposed house was inaugurated on August 15 in a ceremony attended by a number of renowned cinematic and musical artists, Mehr News Agency reported.
The building, dating back to the Qajar era (1794-1925), had been half ruined due to some urban constructions. But then, Mirza Mohammad Baqer Mizani, a merchant who had then bought the building, renovated the remains in 1929 to use it as a place for business. The building had been used chiefly as a warehouse, receiving no special attention until 2001, when it was enlisted as a National Heritage Site by Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization.
Ten years later in 2011, two of the building's heirs finally decided to revamp the building.
"We have spent over 70 billion rials [$1.6 million] on the restoration so far," said Javad Ramezan, one of the heirs, adding that the building is yet to be completely furnished.
Hiring experienced architects and interior designers has helped turn the building, which was once not so eye-catching, into an attractive restaurant while preserving the traditional character, he said. Ramezan stressed that the renovation has been solely aimed to preserve their maternal heritage; "nevertheless, we could erect a commercial tower instead."
The 400-square meter cafe-restaurant has opened to the public since August 18, offering a wide array of Tehrani cuisines. The customers will also be able to use over 400 books offered in an attached library.
