A colonial-era landmark in Nicosia has been left to decay for years amid red tape. The former Veterinary Services building has stood empty for roughly five years after being deemed unsafe because of roof stability problems.
Christodoulos Pipis, director of the Veterinary Services, told Politis that the department has long “taken all the necessary steps for its conservation,” but procedures are stalling progress. “It has been added to the list of ‘special-interest’ buildings and we want to conserve it,” he said. “When its danger was identified, staff were moved out and we asked the Department of Public Works to carry out a structural assessment and evaluate the building’s suitability. We are waiting for Public Works to conduct the study and tell us how to begin the conservation.”
Lefteris Eleftheriou, director of the Department of Public Works, confirmed to Politis that the process of declaring the property a listed building “is under way,” with a study to determine “what works are needed for its conservation and renovation.”
Dating from British rule, the building’s character must be preserved. “Its façade must be retained so that it is consistent with its historic and architectural features,” Mr Pipis stressed.
The plan is to convert the site into a multifunctional centre showcasing the enduring role of the Veterinary Services in Cyprus’s economy and society. The proposal includes restoring the historic structure and using it for events and lectures, training livestock farmers and producers of animal-derived products, and potentially creating a small museum.
“The aim is for the space to be open to pupils as well, where they can learn about animal husbandry in Cyprus, the human–animal relationship, animal health, and the interdependence of livestock farming with the environment and sustainable development,” Mr Pipis said.