QUICK FACTS
Location
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIARas Kebede Mengesha house
Restoration Activities
HISTORIC BUILDING RESTORATIONRestored 19th century headquarters
Lead Partner
LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION PARTNEREthiopian Heritage Trust
Impact Focus
ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE CONSERVATIONPreserving Ethiopia's built heritage while supporting environmental stewardship
Project Timeline
LEGACY PROJECT2004-2025
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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PROJECT OVERVIEWConstructed in 1890, this historic residence is one of the few surviving nineteenth century houses in Addis Ababa and an important part of the city's architectural heritage.
Since 2004, the building has undergone careful conservation and restoration to preserve its architectural character for future generations.
Its preservation demonstrates how safeguarding Ethiopia's historic built environment complements wider efforts to protect the country's natural and cultural heritage.
HISTORIC HEADQUARTERSA historic home for conservation
A restored 19th century building at the heart of Addis Ababa.
Constructed in 1890, this remarkable building is one of Addis Ababa's rare surviving nineteenth century residences and an important example of Ethiopia's architectural heritage.
Following an extensive programme of conservation and restoration, the house has been carefully preserved for future generations while retaining its historic character and craftsmanship.
Today, it stands as a reminder that conserving the built environment is an essential part of protecting Ethiopia's cultural heritage alongside its extraordinary natural landscapes.
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The house was originally owned by Ras Kebede Mengesha, a member of the Ethiopian nobility. During the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie, he played an important role in the Ethiopian resistance against the Fascist Italian invasion. He died in 1939.
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Following its transfer to the Ethiopian Heritage Trust in 2004, the building underwent extensive conservation works to preserve its historic character while adapting it for modern use as the Trust's headquarters.
The restoration retained the architectural features that make the house an exceptional survivor from Addis Ababa's early history.
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Historic buildings embody the stories of people, places and communities.
By restoring and maintaining its headquarters, this legacy project demonstrates that protecting Ethiopia's cultural heritage is an essential part of wider conservation, complementing its work restoring forests, landscapes and biodiversity.
The Ethiopian Heritage Trust was founded in Addis Ababa in 1993, working in environmental restoration and heritage conservation.
Its long-term stewardship of Entoto Natural Park helped transform a once-degraded landscape into one of the country's most successful examples of ecological restoration.
The Ethiopian Conservation Trust has proudly supported this work for more than eight years, helping contribute to the park's continued growth and impact.
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