The building was built towards the end of the 18th century, on the site of the former houses of Lady Ruxandra. For about a century, the building remained the property of the Cantacuzino-Pașcanu family.
There is information according to which the Iași City Hall became the owner of the building in 1907 and moved its offices there between 1911 and 1969. Some authors mention a purchase price of 448,000 lei, while others indicate the date of January 31, 1911 as the time of purchase by the city hall.
However, archival documents contradict these dates. An assessment from September 1910 established the value of the Cantacuzino-Pașcanu property at 702,302.90 lei, an amount calculated by the Urban Land Credit, but not accepted by the local authorities, which led to negotiations. Also, previously circulated data regarding the moment the building entered the city hall's patrimony proved to be incorrect.
Archive sources demonstrate that, in fact, the Iași Communal Council unanimously approved, by decision no. 422 of September 16, 1910, the purchase of the buildings belonging to the brothers Alexandru and Constantin Pașcanu for the amount of 425,000 lei. After taking possession of the building, the city hall allocated funds for its renovation and the annexes.
The oldest known reference to the building appears on the Iași City Plan, drawn up by Joseph Bayàrdi, and is attributed to the mayor Canta.
Starting in 1971, the building hosted the editorial offices of local publications, including "Flacăra Iașului", "Opinia" and "Cronica".
Sursa: djc.monumenteiasi.ro
