Tallest buildings adorn Moscow
Russia is famous not only as an exporter of oil, gas and other resources, but also as a country which has built three highest buildings in Europe. A huge construction undertaking is currently being performed in the capital of our eastern neighbour – Moscow International Business Centre. It is an investment consisting of office, entertainment and retail complexes. And it is within this centre, that the three famous skyscrapers are located.
The tallest high-rise is Gorod Stolic, officially known in English as Capital City. They are two tall towers: Moscow – the tallest (302 m ) and St. Petersburg ( 256.9 m ), which were erected in years 2003 – 2009. The block's total area amounts to 288 680 sq m. There are 77 floors in the building with mixed purpose. The apartments are on floors 19 – 73 of Moscow tower and on floors 19 – 62 of St. Petersburg tower. The high-rises are built of cubes placed on each other. Architects of NBB company are responsible for the design.
The second tallest European building is Moscow's Nebereshnaya Tower – 268.4 m. It is a residential- services complex, consisting of three buildings, of which the tallest has 268.4 m, while the others 135 m and 86 m. The investment was created in years 2003 -2007. It is an example of new generation architecture. Façades are ventilated, performed according to Austrian technology. Interiors have been made using various natural materials, such as granite, marble or stucco.
Triumph Palace, also known as the 8th tower ( because of 7 sister buildings, built back in Stalin's times ), is the third in regards to height residential property in Europe. It was built in years 2001 – 2005. It has 57 floors and two underground levels. Every floor is 3 meter high and the building's total area amounts to 163 300 sq m. The Palace also consists of 9 wings, each with its own entrance, connected to a common area on the first 5 floors. It is situated no more than 10 minutes from the closest subway station. The high-rise is an example of monumental architecture. The creation of Moscow International Business Center, to which the Europe's most impressive in regards to height buildings belong, resulted in the eastern power capital's national monopoly on broadly defined progress. It generates one fourth of the country's GDP, and is as strong economically as RPA.
Plans
Financial crisis in 2007 caused a slow down in the construction of Federation Tower consisting of buildings: A – 354 m high, B – 242 m, and ultimately an interruption of works. According to forecasts, the complex won't be completed until year 2016. Responsible for the project are architects of NPS Tchoban Voss, Thornton Tomasetti, Jean-Pierre Kocher.
On 18th September 2007 the foundation stone for the construction of Russia Tower has been laid. It is to be the tallest high-rise, reaching 612 m. The building has been designed by Norman Foster, one of the most famous and renowned architects. In 2008 the construction had to be stopped due to financial problems resulting from the global crisis. The building's total cost is estimated at 1.5 billion dollars.
Time for St. Petersburg
Russian Gazprom decided to change the direction of the country's construction expansion and chose ST Petersburg, not Moscow, for its headquarters. In august 2011 the world's largest extractor of natural gas, employing over half million people, received a permission for construction of new headquarters in this city. Gacprom's office building – Lachta-centr – is going to be 470 m high and will be the highest standing building in Europe at the moment of completion. At the same time it's going to be the fourth highest building in the world. It is being constructed in at the mouth of Newa river, in the vicinity of historical part of the city. Initially, the consortium intended to build the high-rise in the city centre, but after protests of citizens, Minister of Culture and UNESCO, it decided to change plans. The tower, which is going to house the consortium's main headquarters, is to be completed in spring 2018.