Yerevan Plans to Rename Leningradyan Street After Kirk Kerkorian

The Yerevan City Council will soon discuss a proposal to rename one of the city’s major streets in honor of Kirk Kerkorian, the American-Armenian businessman, philanthropist, and National Hero of Armenia. The discussion is scheduled for October 23, when the council will vote on changing the name of Leningradyan Street to Kirk Kerkorian Street.

The proposal was introduced by the Hanrapetutyun faction, part of the ruling Civil Contract alliance in the city council. According to the draft resolution, the renaming is being carried out under Article 12 of the Law on Local Self-Government in Yerevan and Government Resolution No. 2387-N, issued in 2005. The plan states that Leningradyan Street, which stretches through the Ajapnyak and Malatia-Sebastia districts—from the Hrazdan Grand Bridge to the intersection of Sebastia and G. Hasratyan Streets—will officially become “Kirk Kerkorian Street.”

Kirk Kerkorian, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 98, was one of the most successful Armenian-American figures of the 20th century. Born to Armenian immigrant parents in California, Kerkorian built an extraordinary career as an investor and developer, becoming a central figure in shaping modern Las Vegas. He constructed the world’s largest hotel three separate times: the International Hotel in 1969, the original MGM Grand in 1973, and the current MGM Grand in 1993. Kerkorian also purchased the famous Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) movie studio in 1969, further expanding his influence in the entertainment industry.

Beyond his business achievements, Kerkorian became one of Armenia’s greatest benefactors. Through his Lincy Foundation, established in 1989, he donated over $1 billion to support Armenia’s recovery and development. Much of his charitable work focused on rebuilding the country after the devastating 1988 Spitak earthquake, financing infrastructure, schools, roads, and housing projects. His contributions helped transform Armenia’s post-Soviet recovery and strengthened ties between the diaspora and the homeland.

In recognition of his generosity and commitment, the Armenian government awarded Kerkorian the title of National Hero in the early 2000s—the country’s highest state honor.

The initiative to rename Leningradyan Street is part of a broader effort by the Civil Contract-led council to honor prominent Armenian figures through street names. The same proposal includes plans to rename 5th Street in the Silikyan neighborhood after renowned composer and People’s Artist of the Armenian SSR Alexander Arutyunyan, and 6th Street after composer Aram Satunts.

If approved, Yerevan’s Leningradyan Street will soon carry the name of Kirk Kerkorian—a man remembered not only for shaping the skyline of Las Vegas, but also for his deep commitment to Armenia and its people.

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