On November 11, the Moscow Committee for Architecture announced the selection of the winner of the competition for the development of the 43.7-hectare Yuzhny Port site. The winner was Nikken Sekkei, a joint project with the Russian firm GENPRO. This consortium beat out five other companies, including Zaha Hadid Architects and A-Project, PLP Architecture, and others. The competition itself was announced in April of this year by AEON Corporation and Ferro-Stroy.
According to Nikken Sekkei's proposed plan, the site allocated for development should contain just under 1.5 million square meters of real estate, with approximately 1 million square meters of residential space. The remaining 415,000 square meters are planned for non-residential use. The project's authors also included schools and medical facilities, as well as embankment improvements, five modern parks, and cultural and entertainment facilities.
Sergei Kuznetsov, Moscow's chief architect, commented on this. He stated that the competition winners had accomplished their task superbly, and the subsequent development of this highly significant urban development area would be carried out in accordance with the proposed concept. He described this decision as a colossal step forward for Moscow.
The winning project primarily involves skyscrapers. The architects have placed 16 towers housing premium apartments along the riverbank. Their heights range from 90 to 200 meters. Another four skyscrapers are designated for modern apartments, at least two of which will be 180 and 250 meters high, respectively. One of these towers will feature a unique glass-bottomed swimming pool.
While these buildings will be almost entirely residential, the architects have envisioned a separate office skyscraper for business use. Its planned height is 350 meters, making it the tallest tower in the area. The building's ground floors will be converted into a multi-level atrium housing a large transport hub, and a rooftop garden is planned. The two other dominant features, which will be aparthotel towers, will be connected by skywalks at a dizzying height.
In addition to comfortable apartments, suites, and offices, the project includes the creation of:
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art center and art plaza;
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Museum of Modern Art;
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amphitheater;
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covered promenade;
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floating bridge and restaurant;
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many retail outlets.
The project's implementation will revolutionize perceptions of the southeastern part of the capital and make it no less prestigious than the southwestern part. The South Port is expected to become a new center of Moscow life, even more modern than Moscow City .
