Royal Collection
Here, Eastern Europe meets modernity through tradition, and historical events and legends are passed down from generation to generation.
28 September 2023
On 28 September 2023, the “Royal Collection” boutique, distinguished by its new design and architectural solutions, was opened at house number 4 on 28 May Street.
The guests gathered at the opening night took an interactive journey through time, flipping through the pages of history and traveling back to the distant past. 28 May Street stands out for its uniqueness, as the historical events that took place here have shaped the chronicle of Baku — from the first railway station and the first telephone booths to the city’s first jewelry boutique named “Royal Collection.”
The boutique’s collection features jewelry pieces and heirlooms that have always attracted interest, uniting generations through their timeless elegance.
The “Royal Collection” boutique is located in one of the city's historic buildings — the Twin Houses. The decision to build these houses belonged to philanthropist and oil industrialist Musa Nagiyev, a great admirer of architecture who drew inspiration from it. He once vowed to live a hundred years and build a hundred houses. This dream was brought to life by the renowned Polish architect and civil engineer Józef Płoszko.
The talented architect combined the popular “Art Nouveau” style of Europe's capital cities with elements of Italian and French Gothic in the concept for these buildings on what was then called Telefonnaya Street — today’s 28 May Street. Thanks to the vision and sense of perspective of Musa Nagiyev and Józef Płoszko, Baku transformed into the “Paris of the East.”
In the entrance buildings numbered 4 and 6, attractive shops and comfortable apartments were built for the city’s wealthiest residents. Despite rapid changes and modern developments, neither 28 May Street, nor its buildings, nor the boutiques located there have lost their charm. On the contrary, even today, they embody values that remain important to the people of the city — diversity, continuity, and hospitality.
The creative minds and well-known figures of Baku have never shied away from new trends; on the contrary, they have always paid close attention to tradition while blending it with progressive ideas. The renovation of the boutique was led by Brazilian architect Maurício Queiroz. His chosen profession allowed him to fulfill a central mission of architecture — to breathe new life into objects.
Thus, through the transformation of the “Royal Collection” boutique, Maurício Queiroz gave a fresh spirit to the old building at number 4 on 28 May Street.
The boutique exudes a connection between the past and the present. Its architecture and design feature references to the art of carpet weaving — an inseparable part of Azerbaijani culture and everyday life — as well as national motifs, storylines, and craftsmanship.
The “Royal Collection” boutique embodies the connection between generations and the legacy enriched by ever-evolving experiences. On September 28, within the walls of house number 4, guests of the “Royal Collection” boutique embarked on an interactive journey through six symbolic stops — “28 May Street,” “Twin Houses,” “Gift Shop,” “Home Treasures,” “Magic of Shabaka,” and “Memory Collection.”
At each stop, visitors were greeted by captivating tales told from the perspective of objects that once played a role in the daily lives of Baku residents. During the interactive tour, guests could listen to the melody of the street through an old telephone and witness the enchantment of the ancient art of shabaka (traditional stained-glass latticework).
Later, they had the opportunity to craft a wooden figure with colorful ornaments under the guidance of master artisan Tofiq Rasulov, hold a golden talisman like the one once owned by Musa Nagiyev, and write their own memories in the boutique’s guestbook.
A key element of the program was the musical accompaniment of the evening. Several distinguished and original performers added vibrant color to the guests' encounter with “Royal Collection.” Through their performances, they supported the main leitmotif of the evening — the connection between generations — by interpreting traditional sounds in a contemporary style.
On stage, Ismayil Zulfuqarov, the music bands “Jiva” and “Milam,” as well as tar (traditional string instrument) virtuoso Ibrahim Babayev showcased their talent. The program concluded with the song “The Voice of the Caspian” performed by the original vocalist with a unique timbre — Sevda Alekbarzadeh.
Brands Represented at the Boutique:
Messika,
Pasquale Bruni,
Roberto Coin,
Leo Pizzo,
Omega,
Ulysse Nardin,
Breitling,
Tag Heuer,
Perrelet,
S.T. Dupont,
Utopia,
Breguet,
Blancpain,
Stephen Webster
Address: Baku, Azerbaijan, 4, 28 May Street. Contact numbers: (+99451) 201 92 91, (+99412) 493 40 84.