The Nutsubidze Skybridge complex, also known as the "Shatili" project, is a striking example of Soviet-era urban planning in Georgia. Designed in 1974 by architects Otar Kalandarishvili and Gizo Potskhishvili, the complex was completed in 1978 in Tbilisi’s Nutsubidze Plateau district. Inspired by the mountain village of Shatili, where houses are linked by bridges, the design connects three massive residential towers with narrow metal skybridges.'
Built on steep hillsides, the towers were part of the USSR’s housing expansion program, offering practical solutions for navigating the terrain. Skybridges, located on the 14th, 12th, and 10th floors, allowed residents to bypass the challenging elevation while promoting communal living. Each tower housed a mix of workers, from blue- to white-collar professions, reflecting Soviet ideals of equality.
Accessing the skybridge in the first tower involves using a manually operated elevator run by Mzia Sabanadze, a 70-year-old resident who has managed the lift for nearly 20 years. Visitors insert a 20-tetri coin to activate the elevator, and Mzia’s one-room apartment, filled with Soviet-era memorabilia and religious icons, offers a glimpse into life in the building.
The skybridges provide panoramic views of Tbilisi, with its mix of old and modern architecture framed by rolling hills. Despite rusted railings, cracked concrete, and graffiti, the bridges remain functional and are used daily by residents and visitors.
The towers combine Soviet brutalism with Georgian architectural elements, such as mahogany details and horseshoe-shaped arches. Over the years, residents have modified the buildings with enclosed balconies and makeshift extensions, creating a visually chaotic but uniquely personalized façade.
Although the original plan envisioned a network of skybridges connecting multiple neighborhoods, only the three towers were built due to financial limitations. Despite this, the Nutsubidze Skybridge complex remains one of Tbilisi’s most iconic and ambitious examples of Soviet-era architecture.
