About Moscow City

The most scandalous, but certainly the most grandiose architectural project, the Moscow International Business Center "Moscow City" has been rising on the left bank of the Moscow River for over 25 years. During this time, it has been nicknamed "Russian Manhattan", and it all began at the dawn of domestic capitalism...

History of Moscow-City

The construction of the century began in the mid-90s on the site of a former quarry and quarries in the area of Presnenskaya Embankment. It became the initial stage of the implementation of the large-scale "Big City" program, the completion of which was planned for 2020, but in fact is dragging on.

The entire development area was divided into 20 plots. It was planned to create a green zone in the center, under which there would be an underground parking lot and a transport interchange. The buildings were supposed to be erected around the park in the form of a horseshoe. At the same time, their height was supposed to increase spirally.

In practice, everything turned out differently. The Afimall shopping center was built on the site of the park, and some objects had to be abandoned.

The interest of customers in "Moscow-City" was steadily growing. This forced the architects to be guided not so much by their own ideas about modern real estate , but by future investments. Therefore, the area of the objects being designed gradually increased almost 2 times, and the initially supplied communications were unable to cover the needs of the city under construction in the city.

In 1995, due to a lack of funding, the project was frozen for a little over 10 years. But in 2003, the waning interest of investors in the project flared up again, which served as the main impetus for the development of the MIBC, the inertia of which is still sufficient to this day.

The first object of "Moscow-City" was not a skyscraper tower, but the " Bagration" bridge. It connected the banks of the Moskva River and its opening marked the celebration of the 850th anniversary of the capital of Russia.

The first building of the Moscow-City complex was the "Tower 2000" , completed in 2001, connected to the Bagration lobby. It is the only one of the entire complex that rises on the right bank of the Moscow River and does not claim to be a skyscraper. Following it, other towers gradually began to be completed: Tower on the Embankment A , B , C , Eurasia , Evolution , Empire , I Q-quarter and others.

"Tower 2000" is the only high-rise building that was built exactly according to the original design.

During the construction, new records were set, some of which even earned worldwide recognition and were noted in the Guinness Book of Records. Each skyscraper was built for about 4-5 years. Super-strong and fireproof materials were and are used for their construction.

The total investment in Moscow City has exceeded 12 billion US dollars. Today, the almost finished skyscraper complex is either idolized or hated, but it leaves no one indifferent. There is a special atmosphere of money and success here, created by the breathtaking panorama from the windows and thousands of people with above-average incomes.

Construction and maintenance of the complex

The main ideologist of the Moscow-City MICD was the architect Boris Thor. Together with 5 specialists, he created the concept of the future business center in 1991 and proposed to the capital's authorities to transform the industrial zone near the Expocentre into a modern business center. Later, some of the most famous architects and leading architectural firms contributed to the construction of the complex:

• NBBJ;

• Enka;

• Mikhail Posokhin;

• Speech;

• Gennady Sirota;

• Peter Schweger;

• Frank Williams;

• Sergey Tchoban;

• Skidmore, Owings and Merrill;

• Tony Kettle and others.

As a result, the futuristic complex does not have a single style. The objects have features of neo-constructivism, high-tech and some other architectural styles.

The technical customer and representative of the authorities for the disposal of state property is the State Unitary Enterprise "Center-City". It is responsible for the effective management, maintenance, service and operation of the Central Core of the complex.

The following companies were involved in the construction of the Moscow International Business Center:

• Capital Group;

• JSC Techinvest;

• AFI Development;

• Ant Yapı Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi;

• Strabag.

In 1992, the management company OAO City was organized, which later changed its form of ownership to PAO City. It is still engaged in the management and development of the MIBC, and is also the lessee of the land under the complex. Its owner is the Solvers group.

For the purpose of commercial management of office premises in the towers "Empire", "City of Capitals" and "Federation", the management company "City Property Management" was created. More than 10,000 sq. m of office space were provided for its management. Management and operation are also carried out by OOO "UK Federation Group", "Capex".

Moscow-City team

The Moscow-City International Business Center is spread over more than 100 hectares, where not only skyscrapers are located, but also park areas, car parks, road junctions, metro stations, and helicopter landing pads. Today, it is formed by more than 23 large-scale objects, the total area of which exceeds 60 hectares. Among them, the following objects are completely ready and put into operation.

Bagration Bridge

The pedestrian bridge was commissioned in 1997. It is 214 m long, 16 m wide and 14 m high. The total area of the bridge is 13,655 sq. m. The bridge has 2 levels connected by numerous staircases and escalators. Its lower tier is glazed and is one of the largest shopping galleries in the city, with an area of 2,572 sq. m. The upper level has an observation deck with an impressive view of the entire business district, the Ukraine Hotel and, of course, the river. Today, the bridge premises are also used for various exhibitions. In terms of functionality, Bagration has no equal not only in the capital, but throughout Russia.

"Tower 2000"

This business center was completed in 2001. Its height is 130 m. "Tower 2000" has 34 floors, all of which are reserved for offices.

"Afimall City"

The shopping and entertainment center was put into operation in 2011. Today, it houses about 500 different stores, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment areas. There are also exhibition areas, a park, a skating rink, etc. It is divided into 4 zones, recreating the features of each season.

• height – 53 m;

• floors – 6;

• area of the facility – 316,832 sq. m;

• developer and builder – AFI Development;

• architect – State Unitary Enterprise of Moscow “Mosproekt-2”;

• cost - 300 million dollars.

Federation Towers: West and East

The Federation Tower holds the title of the tallest skyscraper in Europe. Its architects are S. Tchoban and P. Shveger from the Spreech architectural studio. It is formed by two skyscrapers: West and East, the latter of which was completed in 2016.

• height – 374 m (East) and 242 m (West);

• floors – 95 and 63;

• area of the facility – 443,000 sq. m;

• developer – AEON-Development;

• developer – Federation Tower CJSC;

• cost - 1.2 billion dollars.

There are areas for offices, commercial premises, apartments and entertainment venues, including the highest observation deck in Europe in the East Tower. The building also has its own parking lot for 74 cars.

"Mercury City"

Completed in 2013, the multifunctional supertall skyscraper organically combines commercial, cultural, office and residential premises. The three underground floors house a 437-space car park, retail and technical premises. The building's architecture was developed by a group of specialists, including M. Posokhin, F. Williams, and G. Sirota.

• height – 338.8 m;

• floors – 75;

• area of the facility – 173,960 sq. m;

• developer – Mercury Development;

• cost – 650 million – 1 billion dollars.

"Eye"

The multifunctional complex with the largest underground parking in Europe (for 3,400 spaces) "Oko" was designed by the bureau "Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP" and was put into operation in 2016. It occupies two sites. On one of them there is an office and administrative building and a residential tower. On the second there is a public 16-level parking lot.

• height – 352 m (south tower) and 245 m (north tower);

• floors – 85;

• area of the facility – 249,610 sq. m;

• developer – Capital Group;

• developer – Ant Yapı Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi.

"Eurasia"

The office and recreational complex "Eurasia", which combines offices, restaurants, gyms, shops, a hotel, parking and luxury apartments, was completed in 2014.

• height – 308.9 m;

• floors – 72+5 underground;

• area of the facility – 207,542 sq. m;

• developer – MosCityGroup;

• Architect – Swanke Hayden Connell Architects;

• developer – Techinvest CJSC;

• cost - 250 million dollars.

"Tower on the Embankment"

The complex, completed in 2007, is a representative office building of international class. It consists of three buildings of different heights with underground floors, united into one shopping hall.

• height – 268 m;

• floors – 17, 27 and 59;

• area of the facility – 265,602 sq. m;

• developer and architect – Enka;

• developer – City Center Investment B.V.;

• cost - 200 million dollars.

"City of Capitals"

The majestic complex has 2 skyscrapers symbolizing St. Petersburg and Moscow. They are united by a 17-story base and a domed building with an atrium. It houses a large parking lot, offices, gyms, restaurants, cinemas, shops, entertainment venues, presentation halls and luxury apartments. The latter account for at least half of the upper floors. The complex was created by the Turkish company Ant Yapı Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi according to the design of NBBJ architects and was eventually completed in 2009.

• height – 302 m (Moscow) and 257 m (St. Petersburg);

• floors – 76 (Moscow), 65 (St. Petersburg), 17 (dome building);

• area of the facility – 288,680 sq. m;

• developer – Capital Group;

• cost - 450 million dollars.

"Northern Tower"

This is a business center that has received a BREEAM certificate for greening. There are offices, a cafe, a concert hall, a fitness center, a medical facility, and a parking lot. The Northern Tower was completed in 2008.

• height – 108 m;

• floors – 27;

• area of the facility – 135,000 sq. m;

• developer – “Northern Tower”;

• architect – “Project Institute No. 2”;

• Developer – Strabag.

"IQ-quarter"

This is the main transport hub of Moscow-City, as it is designed to connect it with Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo airports by rail. The complex was commissioned in 2016. It combines a hotel, a parking lot, an office building, residential and retail space.

• height – 172.8 m;

• floors – 22 (hotel), 34 and 43;

• area of the facility – 228,000 sq. m;

• developer – GALS-Development;

• Architect – NBBJ;

• developer – Ant Yapı Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi.

"Empire"

The complex is called a vertical city because it conveniently combines commercial, office and residential spaces. It was completed in 2011.

• height – 238.6 m;

• floors – 60;

• area of the facility – 203,191 sq. m;

• developer – Solvers;

• Architect – NBBJ;

• Developer – Enka.

"Evolution"

The most fascinating twisted tower "Evolution" was completed in 2015. It houses offices, retail space, and restaurants.

• height – 255 m;

• floors – 54;

• area of the facility – 169,000 sq. m;

• developer – "Snegiri";

• Architect – Tony Kettle;

• Developer: City Palace LLC.

Unfinished objects

There are still 5 objects under construction. First of all, these are 2 towers "Neva Towers", the height of which will be 337 m (residential building, 79 floors) and 290 m (office building, 65 floors).

Also this:

• MFC on site No. 15, including office space and apartments;

• MFC on site No. 4, designed for 71 floors of apartments and offices;

• MFC on site No. 20, designed for 54 floors, which will house office space, apartments and infrastructure facilities;

• 10-storey business center City Point;

• One Tower.

Transport accessibility

The Moscow-City International Business Center was conceived to relieve the historical center of the capital. Therefore, it has a good transport interchange. The following are located in the immediate vicinity:

• third transport ring;

• Zvenigorodskoe highway;

• Kutuzovsky Prospect;

• Krasnogvardeisky passage;

• Presnenskaya embankment.

All roads in the Moscow-City area have been reconstructed. But the problem of traffic jams in the morning hours is still relevant and requires finding new solutions. Therefore, in the near future, it is planned to build new roads and multi-lane expressways that will connect Moscow-City with the main transport arteries of the city. For parking personal vehicles, there are underground and above-ground parking lots on the territory of the complex.

You can also get to Moscow City by metro. The following stations are located 300–500 m from different skyscrapers:

• Exhibition;

• Business center;

• International.

The IQ quarter has a transport hub that helps you quickly get to the Big City from Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo airports by modern high-speed train.