Nikola Lazarov

Lazarov was born in the sub-Balkan town of Karlovo, then part of the Ottoman Empire (today in central Bulgaria).

His father, a rose oil and woolen braid dealer and manufacturer, was killed by the Ottomans during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878 which led to the Liberation of Bulgaria.

Lazarov received a Bulgarian state scholarship to study at the École Spéciale d'Architecture in Paris, France.

He also finished the exterior and interior design of the Central Military Club in Sofia, which was only roughly constructed under Antonín Kolář.

[2] In 1896, he established the first private architectural company[3] (headquartered at Targovska Street), and in 1902 he became the first architect to be elected to the National Assembly of Bulgaria by joining the parliament as a deputy of his native Karlovo.