The architectural landmark home knocked down last week was not a listed building, the Nicosia district administration (EOA) said on Sunday.

It added that Nicosia municipality had drawn up a list of remarkable buildings worthy of protecting and sent it to the town planning department although no further action was taken.

The interior ministry later confirmed that the building was never officially submitted to the conservation section of the town planning department for evaluation despite the fact it was included in a recording and classification made in the past by the Nicosia municipality.

A video of the building being brought down was widely circulated on social media, where it caused an outcry.

The 1930s home on the corner of Arnaldas and Stassinos Avenue was demolished on Friday night.

The EOA said the power to declare a building as listed rests solely with the interior minister.

The demolition permit for the building in question was issued by Nicosia Municipality before the local government reform and the creation of the district authorities as new licensing authorities.

While the list of valuable buildings was drawn up, the EOA said as the building was private property owners had the legal right to develop it as they saw fit.

The home before it was knocked down on Friday

The building, formerly home to merchant Thrasyvoulos Tryphon, was a prime example of 1930s architecture. Designed by renowned architect Odysseas Tsangaridis, the structure featured a distinctive semicircular protruding wing, evoking the stern of a ship. Clad in chiselled limestone and topped with a flat reinforced concrete roof, the building represented a key moment in Cyprus’ architectural evolution.

The ministry said the department of town planning has already declared more than 7,000 buildings as listed and is in the process of evaluating another 4,000 “as part of the effort to preserve the architectural heritage of our country”.