About Moscow City
<p>
The most controversial—but undoubtedly the most grandiose—architectural project, the Moscow City International Business Center, has stood on the left bank of the Moskva River for over 25 years. During this time, it has come to be known as the “Russian Manhattan,” though it all began at the dawn of Russian capitalism…
</p>
<h2>The History of “Moscow City”</h2>
<p>
The construction project of the century began in the mid-1990s on the site of former quarries and stone pits near Presnenskaya Embankment. It marked the initial stage of the large-scale <a href="/articles/proekt-bolshoy-siti-osobennosti-i-perspektivy/">“Big City”</a>, which was originally scheduled for completion in 2020 but has, in fact, been delayed.
</p>
<p>
The entire development area was divided into 20 plots. A green space was planned for the center, beneath which an underground parking garage and a transportation interchange would be located. The buildings were to be constructed around the park in a horseshoe shape, with their height increasing in a spiral pattern.
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<p>
In practice, things turned out differently. The Afimoll shopping center was built on the site of the park, and some of the planned structures had to be abandoned.
</p>
<p>
Client interest in “Moscow City” grew steadily. This forced <a href="/articles/arkhitektory-moskva-siti/">the architects</a> to be guided not so much by their own ideas about modern <a href="/nedvizhimost/">real estate</a> as by upcoming investments. As a result, the planned floor area of the projects gradually nearly doubled, and the utilities originally installed proved insufficient to meet the needs of the city-within-a-city under construction.
</p>
<p>
In 1995, due to a lack of funding, the project was put on hold for just over 10 years. But in 2003, investors’ waning interest in the project was reignited, which served as the main impetus for the development of the Moscow International Business Center (MIBC)—a momentum that continues to this day.
</p>
<p>
The first structure in “Moscow City” was by no means a skyscraper, but rather the “<a href="/towers/most-bagration/">Bagration”</a>. It connected the banks of the Moskva River, and its opening marked the celebration of the 850th anniversary of Russia’s capital.
</p>
<p>
The first building in the “Moscow City” complex was the <a href="/towers/bashnya-2000/">“Tower 2000</a>, which was connected to the Bagration Lobby. It is the only building in the entire complex located on the right bank of the Moskva River and does not claim the title of a skyscraper. Other towers gradually followed suit: <a href="/towers/mfk-bashnya-na-naberezhnoy/">Tower on the Embankment</a> <a href="/towers/mfk-bashnya-na-naberezhnoy-blok-a/">A</a>, <a href="/towers/mfk-bashnya-na-naberezhnoy-blok-b/">B</a>, <a href="/towers/mfk-bashnya-na-naberezhnoy-blok-c/">C</a>, <a href="/towers/bashnya-evraziya/">Eurasia</a>, <a href="/towers/bashnya-evolyutsiya/">Evolution</a>, <a href="/towers/bashnya-imperiya/">Empire</a>, I<a href="/towers/iq-kvartal/">Q-Quarter</a>, and others.
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<p>
“Tower 2000” is the only skyscraper built exactly according to the original design.
</p>
<p>
New records were set during construction, some of which even earned worldwide recognition and were listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. Each skyscraper took about 4–5 years to build. High-strength and fire-resistant materials were and continue to be used in their construction.
</p>
<p>
The total investment in “Moscow City” exceeded 12 billion U.S. dollars. Today, the nearly completed skyscraper complex is either idolized or hated, but it leaves no one indifferent. A unique atmosphere of wealth and success reigns here, created by the breathtaking panoramic views from the windows and the thousands of people with above-average incomes.
</p>
<h2>Construction and Maintenance of the Complex</h2>
<p>
The chief architect behind the “Moscow City” International Business Center was Boris Thor. In 1991, together with five other specialists, he developed the concept for the future business center and proposed to the city authorities that the industrial zone near Expocentre be transformed into a modern business center. Later, some of the most renowned architects and leading architectural firms contributed to the construction of the complex:
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NBBJ;
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Enka;
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Mikhail Posokhin;
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Speech;
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Gennady Sirota;
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Peter Schweger;
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Frank Williams;
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Sergey Choban;
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Skidmore, Owings and Merrill;
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Tony Kettle et al.
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<p>
As a result, the futuristic complex lacks a unified style. The buildings exhibit elements of Neo-Constructivism, high-tech, and several other architectural styles.
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<p>
The state-owned enterprise “Center-City” has been appointed as the technical client and government representative for the management of state property. It is responsible for the effective management, maintenance, servicing, and operation of the complex’s Central Core.
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The following companies were involved in the construction of the Moscow International Business Center:
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Capital Group;
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CJSC “Tekhinvest”;
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AFI Development;
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Ant Yapı Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi;
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Strabag.
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<p>
In 1992, the management company OAO “City” was established, later changing its legal form to PAO “City.” It continues to manage and develop the Moscow International Business Center (MIBC) and is also the lessee of the land on which the complex is located. It is owned by the “Solvers” Group.
</p>
<p>
For the purpose of commercial management of office space in the “Empire,” “City of Capitals,” and “Federation,” the management company “City Property Management” was established. It manages over 10,000 square meters of office space. Management and operations are also handled by “UK Federation Group” LLC, “Capex.”
</p>
<h2>Components of “Moscow City”</h2>
<p>
The Moscow City International Business Center spans more than 100 hectares, which include not only skyscrapers but also park areas, parking lots, road interchanges, metro stations, and helicopter landing pads. Today, it consists of more than 23 large-scale facilities with a combined area exceeding 60 hectares. Among them, the following facilities are fully completed and operational.
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<h3>The Bagration Bridge</h3>
<p>
The pedestrian bridge was completed in 1997. It is 214 m long, 16 m wide, and 14 m high. The bridge’s total area is 13,655 square meters. The bridge has two levels connected by numerous staircases and escalators. Its lower level is glass-enclosed and serves as one of the city’s largest shopping arcades, with an area of 2,572 square meters. The upper level features an observation deck offering an impressive view of the entire business district, the “Ukraine” Hotel, and, of course, the river. Today, the bridge’s spaces are also used to host various exhibitions. In terms of functionality, Bagration has no equal not only in the capital but throughout all of Russia.
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<h3>“Tower 2000”</h3>
<p>
This business center was completed in 2001. It stands 130 meters tall. “Tower 2000” has 34 floors, all of which are dedicated to office space.
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<h3>“Afimall City”</h3>
<p>
The shopping and entertainment center opened in 2011. Today, it houses about 500 different stores, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment areas. It also features exhibition spaces, a park, an ice rink, and more. It is divided into four zones, each recreating the unique features of a different season.
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Height: 53 m;
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number of floors – 6;
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property area – 316,832 sq. m;
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developer and builder – AFI Development;
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Architect – Moscow State Unitary Enterprise “Mosproekt-2”;
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Cost – $300 million.
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<h3>The “Federation: West and East” Towers</h3>
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The “Federation” Tower holds the title of Europe’s tallest skyscraper. Its architects are S. Choban and P. Schweger from the Spreech architectural firm. It consists of two towers: West and East, the latter of which was completed in 2016.
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Height: 374 m (East) and 242 m (West);
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number of floors – 95 and 63;
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project area – 443,000 sq. m;
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developer – Aeon Development;
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Builder – Bashnya Federatsiya CJSC;
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Cost – $1.2 billion.
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<p>
The complex includes space for offices, commercial premises, apartments, and entertainment venues; notably, the “Vostok” tower houses Europe’s highest observation deck. The building also has its own parking lot with 74 parking spaces.
</p>
<h3>“Mercury City”</h3>
<p>
Completed in 2013, this multifunctional supertall skyscraper seamlessly combines commercial, cultural, office, and residential spaces. The three underground levels house a 437-space parking garage, retail spaces, and utility rooms. The building’s architecture was designed by a team of specialists, including M. Posokhin, F. Williams, and G. Sirota.
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Height: 338.8 m;
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number of floors – 75;
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building area – 173,960 sq. m;
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developer – Mercury Development;
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Cost: $650 million–$1 billion.
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<h3>“Oko”</h3>
<p>
“Oko,” a mixed-use complex featuring Europe’s largest underground parking garage (with 3,400 spaces), was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP and opened in 2016. It occupies two plots. One of them houses an office and administrative building and a residential tower. The second plot houses a 16-level public parking garage.
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Height: 352 m (south tower) and 245 m (north tower);
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number of floors – 85;
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project area – 249,610 sq. m;
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Developer – Capital Group;
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Builder – Ant Yapı Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi.
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<h3>“Eurasia”</h3>
<p>
The “Eurasia” office and recreational complex, which combines offices, restaurants, gyms, shops, a hotel, parking, and luxury apartments, was completed in 2014.
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<ul>
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Height: 308.9 m;
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Number of floors: 72 above ground + 5 underground;
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Project area – 207,542 sq. m;
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Developer – MosCityGroup;
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Architect – Swanke Hayden Connell Architects;
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Developer – Techinvest CJSC;
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Cost: $250 million.
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<h3>“Tower on the Embankment”</h3>
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Completed in 2007, the complex is a world-class executive office building. It consists of three buildings of varying heights with underground levels, connected by a single atrium.
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Height: 268 m;
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Number of floors: 17, 27, and 59;
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Project area – 265,602 sq. m;
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Developer and architect – Enka;
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Developer – City Center Investment B.V.;
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Cost – $200 million.
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<h3>“City of Capitals”</h3>
<p>
This majestic complex features two skyscrapers symbolizing St. Petersburg and Moscow. They are connected by a 17-story base and a domed building with an atrium. It houses a large parking garage, offices, gyms, restaurants, movie theaters, shops, entertainment venues, presentation halls, and luxury apartments. The latter account for no less than half of the upper floors. The complex was developed by the Turkish company Ant Yapı Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi based on a design by the architectural firm NBBJ and was ultimately completed in 2009.
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Height: 302 m (Moscow) and 257 m (Saint Petersburg);
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number of floors – 76 (Moscow), 65 (Saint Petersburg), 17 (dome building);
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property area – 288,680 sq. m;
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developer – Capital Group;
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Cost – $450 million.
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</ul>
<h3>“Northern Tower”</h3>
<p>
This is a business center that has received BREEAM certification for its landscaping. It features offices, a café, a concert hall, a fitness center, a medical facility, and parking. “North Tower” was completed in 2008.
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Height: 108 m;
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number of floors – 27;
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building area – 135,000 sq. m;
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developer – “Severnaya Bashnya”;
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Architect – “Design Institute No. 2”;
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builder – Strabag.
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<h3>“IQ Quarter”</h3>
<p>
This is the main transportation hub for “Moscow City,” as it is designed to connect the district to Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo airports via rail. The complex opened in 2016. It combines a hotel, parking, an office building, residential units, and retail space.
</p>
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Height: 172.8 m;
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Number of floors: 22 (hotel), 34, and 43;
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Project area – 228,000 sq. m;
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Developer: GALS-Development;
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Architect – NBBJ;
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Builder – Ant Yapı Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi.
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<h3>“Empire”</h3>
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The complex is referred to as a “vertical city” because it seamlessly combines commercial, office, and residential spaces. It was completed in 2011.
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Height: 238.6 m;
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number of floors – 60;
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total area – 203,191 sq. m;
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developer – Solvers;
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Architect – NBBJ;
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builder – Enka.
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</ul>
<h3>“Evolution”</h3>
<p>
The most mesmerizing twisted tower, “Evolution,” was completed in 2015. It houses offices, retail spaces, and restaurants.
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Height: 255 m;
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Number of floors: 54;
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Project area – 169,000 sq. m;
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Developer – Snegiri;
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Architect – Tony Kettle;
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developer – City-Palace LLC.
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</ul>
<h3>Unfinished Projects</h3>
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Five projects are still under construction. First and foremost are the two “Neva Towers,” which will be 337 m tall (a residential building with 79 floors) and 290 m tall (an office building with 65 floors).
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Also included are:
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A mixed-use complex on Lot No. 15, comprising office space and apartments;
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MFC on Lot No. 4, designed to have 71 floors of apartments and offices;
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A mixed-use complex on Lot No. 20, designed to have 54 floors housing office space, apartments, and infrastructure facilities;
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The 10-story City Point business center;
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the “One Tower” skyscraper.
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</ul>
<h2>Transportation Accessibility</h2>
<p>
The Moscow City International Business Center was designed to relieve traffic congestion in the capital’s historic center. As a result, it has good transportation access. The following are located in the immediate vicinity:
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the Third Ring Road;
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Zvenigorodskoye Highway;
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Kutuzovsky Prospekt;
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Krasnogvardeysky Passage;
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Presnenskaya Embankment.
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<p>
All roads in the “Moscow City” district have been reconstructed. However, the problem of morning traffic jams remains a pressing issue and requires new solutions. Therefore, plans are in place to construct new roads and multi-lane expressways in the near future that will connect “Moscow City” to the city’s main transportation arteries. For parking private vehicles on the complex’s grounds, there are underground and surface parking lots.
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You can also reach “Moscow City” by metro. Stations are located 300–500 m from various skyscrapers:
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Vystavochnaya;
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Delovoy Tsentr;
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International.
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<p>
The “IQ Quarter” features a transportation hub that allows for quick access to “Bolshoye City” from Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo airports via a modern high-speed commuter train.
</p>
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