Discovering History of The West Hill by Askanis Group

At West Hill by Askanis Group, what began as a routine site clearing quickly turned into something far more remarkable—a direct encounter with Cyprus’ ancient past.

The Unexpected Discovery

During the early stages of the project, while clearing bushes and loose materials, the team noticed something unusual: a spherical recess carved into the rock face. Hidden behind dense vegetation, it wasn’t immediately accessible, but its shape strongly suggested it was man-made.

Recognizing the potential significance, work paused immediately. The entire Amathounta area falls under the supervision of the Department of Antiquities Cyprus, so the on-site archaeologist was informed right away.

Excavation and Revelation

Following protocol, excavation in that area stopped. A specialized team from the Department of Antiquities, assisted by members of the construction crew, began carefully excavating by hand.

What they uncovered was extraordinary: an ancient quarry hidden beneath the surface

Fragments of pottery were also discovered and collected for preservation, confirming the historical importance of the site.

Rethinking the Development

The discovery presented a major challenge. The quarry was located exactly where the project’s main access road was planned.

Together with the Town Planning Authorities Cyprus, the team explored two options:

• Cover and build over the quarry once documentation was complete
• Preserve the site and integrate it into the development

Rather than erase history, the decision was made to celebrate it.

Designing Around Heritage

This choice required significant redesign:

• The Dhalia Building was completely reimagined
• An additional floor was added
• A 20-meter bridge was designed to span the quarry
• Landscaping and the swimming pool area were adjusted to showcase the view

The goal was clear: turn the quarry into a central architectural feature, not an obstacle.

Delays and Challenges

The impact on the timeline was unavoidable.

Construction had to shift focus to another building (Levanda), where no archaeological findings were present and approval was granted to proceed. Meanwhile, the bridge—complex and costly—required specialized engineering and foundations.

The Final Outcome

Today, the preserved quarry beneath the bridge stands as a unique highlight of the development around the communal swimming pool area.

It represents a rare balance between modern construction and historical preservation—a decision that added complexity, cost, and delays, but ultimately created something distinctive.

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