Audit office report on 14-year-old unfinished building in Nicosia

On March 26, 2026, the Audit Office of Cyprus released memorandum YP-EY 01/2026 regarding a stalled construction project on Spyrou Kyprianou Avenue in Nicosia. The building, originally permitted in 2010 and 2011 for an eight-story commercial and office structure, has remained unfinished for 14 years. Auditor General Andreas Papaconstantinou noted that the project contains significant deviations from approved plans, including an unauthorized switch from reinforced concrete to a metallic structure, which poses safety risks due to metal oxidation. Inspections conducted in December 2025 confirmed the site has been effectively abandoned despite ownership changes and permit renewals. The report criticizes the local authority—the Nicosia District Self-Government Organization (EOA)—for failing to impose sanctions or ensure progress, limiting their oversight primarily to fence inspections. The unfinished site negatively impacts the city's appearance, public health, and local safety, highlighting a broader issue of regulatory gaps in managing stalled urban developments across Cyprus.