The building complex which today houses the Lions Care for Youth Foundation was acquired by its present owners in 1996 when it was in a state of collapse. Originally built in 1888, it was used as a dwelling house as the door grill in the façade testifies. Situated in the middle of the Old City of Nicosia, which is surrounded by Venetian walls built in 1570, its existence in the city Plan Records appears in 1915. The property numbered four buildings, of which, only three were still standing in 1996.

Restoration work aimed at recovering the complex’s original form and character while making better use of it for social purposes. Deteriorating furniture found in the buildings and belonging to the original period was also fully restored. This is now used in the house and gives a feeling of its appearance early in the last century.

Later additions were removed while elements in all buildings were restored in accordance with contemporary documentation or site archaeological evidence. The pebble and marble floors were properly re-installed while the roofs were replaced with new supporting wooden beams and their purlins and rafters were repaired. It should also be noted, that the type of floor tiles originally used had stopped being produced about 50 years ago. Those remaining, therefore, had to be removed, repaired and reinstalled after the re-enforcement of the floor.

The façade with its characteristic kiosk, and the courtyard were completely restored to their original beauty. In its initial form the courtyard had no paving, just a dirt floor, however contemporary needs dictated a new paving. As the original windows were destroyed beyond repair, they were replaced with exact copies. The basement at the time of purchase of the building was used as a storage area and this is where some of the original furniture was found. It is now restored and reinforced, and used as coffee and kitchen rooms.

Original materials and techniques were used throughout the works. For the single building for which there was no existing evidence of materials, new insertions were made according to the style and character of the others.

The complex is now used as a hostel and rehabilitation centre for unprotected and abandoned children, as temporary accommodation for boys and girls of over 18 years of age and as a permanent shelter for several Lions Clubs International programmes in Cyprus such as ‘Sight First’, ‘Lions-Quest’, ’Medic Alert’ and others. It serves as a conference centre and an exhibition of arts and crafts. It also functions as a municipal centre for social events, fund raising activities, tourist information centre for the old city of Nicosia and as a Lions Club meeting place.

The complex is a living space visited not only by people from the neighbourhood and passers-by, but also by people from all over Nicosia.