Eventually on June 21, the head of Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) Zahra Ahmadipour directed Tehran's governor general to inscribe the Sabet Pasal Mansion in the Iranian capital on the list of National Heritage Sites, ifpnews.com reported.
The order was issued following many ups and downs and considerable controversy.
The registration of the mansion, located in Tehran, is aimed at preventing the demolition of the mansion by its private owner, who wants to build a high-rise to replace the architectural masterpiece.
Following the registration of the mansion as a national heritage site, no development will be allowed in the building's precincts.
Earlier, Mehdi Chamran, the outgoing chairman of Tehran City Council, had said the building "is of no cultural value" and supported a proposal to construct a mosque in its place as well as a commercial center "to cover the expenses of the mosque".
Sabet Pasal Mansion, also known as the 'Stone Palace' or 'Iran's Versailles Palace', is Tehran's largest historical house. It was built in the second Pahlavi period in an area of over 11,500 square meters, modelled after Petit Trianon Chatêau on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles.
It belonged to wealthy Iranian businessman Habibollah Sabet, known as Sabet Pasal, but was seized by Mostazafan Foundation after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It is currently owned by Ali Ansari, the managing director of Ayandeh Bank.
By IRAN DAILY
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