Ion Mincu’s “Școala Centrală”. In 1851, Prince Barbu Știrbei approved the establishment of a “Princely Girls’ High-school”; the school was opened in 1852 and courses took place in a few different buildings (Manuc House, Turnescu House, Ghica House). In 1890, Architect Ion Mincu drew the plans for the actual building of the Școala Centrală (En. The Central School). It has a rich exterior and interior decoration, as well as a harmonious composition, typical for the style Mincu imposed to Romanian architecture. The building relies on a classical shape of corridors and galleries set around a square garden full of vegetation. The facade is decorated with tileworks topping the window frames and the roof beams remind one of the dwelling tradition of Northern Wallachian architecture, while the whole building is surrounded by a tilework belt. Together with Bufetul de la Șosea, nowadays known as Casa Doina (GPS - N44 27.550 E26 04.985), this is Ion Mincu’s greatest piece of work.

Giulio Magni’s Școala Comunală. It was built in 1895-1896 after the plans drawn by Giulio Magni. Magni used the Mincu-founded project while designing this building. There are striking resemblances with Mincu's Bufetul de la Șosea (nowadays Casa Doina Restaurant) or with Școala Centrală, with the terra cotta tile covered facade (especially above the window frames). The building is surrounded by a beautiful fence built of decorated brick structure, covered with ceramics. It lies just off Kiseleff Park.

Grigore Cerchez’s School of Architecture. The first Romanian "School of Bridges and Roads, Mines and Architecture" was established by Alexandru Ioan Cuza in 1864. Then, in 1892, the Romanian Architects Society founded a private School of Architecture. 5 years later this school was overtaken by the government, being turned in the National School of Architecture, then called the Higher School of Architecture. Initially courses were held in a building on Brezoianu Street, but in 1927 the school was granted its own building, where it still exists (with a later addition). The building was designed by Architect Grigore Cerchez in Romanian style. The facade bears beautiful stone carved decorations, reminding one of Wallachian monasteries (Curtea de Argeș, Dealu) or of Brâncoveanu style (see Potlogi or Mogoșoaia palaces, Sfântul Gheorghe Nou Church or Hurezi Monastery). In 1953 the University of Architecture was called Ion Mincu, in honour of possibly the greatest Romanian architect, promoter of Romanian architecture and designer of outstanding buildings, such as the nowadays called Casa Doina (1882-1892, on Kiseleff Avenue, at the crossing with Ion Mincu Street), Casa Vernescu (1889), Casa Lahovary (1886) in Bucharest or Robescu Villa in Sinaia (1897).

Gheorghe Mandrea’s Fire Tower. This building was raised (accomplished in 1892) after the plans drawn by Architect Mandrea. It was meant as a water reservoir which would help regulate the water flow in the city network. It has on the upper part a 750 c.m. water tank. However it was never used for this purpose, as only after the works were accomplished, they realized the water pumps in Grozăvești Quarter did not have enough power to lift the water all the way to the high tank. After the City Plant (Uzinele Comunale București) was inaugurated in 1924, there was enough power to do that, but it was no longer needed, as the water network in the city had already been developed and was self-sufficient. Therefore, the structure was used from its completion in 1892 to 1936 by the fire brigade of the city, as it was taller than any other building in the city at the time (1892), with its 42 m. belfry. In 1963 it was turned into the Fire Brigade Museum, mostly interesting for fire brigade buffs. However the view from the top is interesting. If you go there, take your time to walk along the streets around this square. There is a cluster of early 20th century villas which are quite interesting. The Foișorul de Foc lies along the Delea Veche - Popa Nan walk which goes farther South and East through a diverse old district of Bucharest.