The apartments located above the 90th floor of the Federation Tower skyscraper are known as "apartments for the celestials," and for good reason. Their panoramic windows offer breathtaking views of all of Moscow on a clear day, and not even many birds dare to fly so high. Construction of the Federation Tower began back in 2004. Over the years, a huge number of apartments have been sold, and the transactions have been marked by a fair number of zeros. Nevertheless, the luxurious 2,200-square-meter apartment at the very top of the tower remains empty. Valued at 2.6 billion rubles, is the high price the only reason it hasn't been snapped up?
Why aren't people buying apartments on the 95th floor?
Despite the high prices, apartments for the elite are finding new owners. Recently, a deal was closed for the purchase of an apartment on the 90th floor of the Federation Tower, measuring just over 1,500 square meters.
But the unique penthouse on the 95th floor, occupying 2,200 square meters and boasting a 15-meter-high transparent dome through which one can admire the starry sky on a clear day, remains empty. To generate interest, special promotional materials were released, featuring examples of possible layouts for the vast lot. These include a lounge area, formal dining room, master and guest bedrooms, and several bathrooms. According to the proposed design, the penthouse even has room for a cigar and wine room.
Analysts believe the main reason for the lack of interest in the 95th-floor lot is the high maintenance costs of a penthouse with such complex architecture. Besides the considerable expense of cleaning, lighting, and heating the 2,200-square-meter space, the owner will also have to bear the additional cost of cleaning the enormous dome, not to mention the panoramic windows.
Initially, a panoramic restaurant with 340 tables was planned for the 95th floor of the Federation Tower. According to some reports, it even had dedicated elevators, cold storage, and food storage facilities. However, the project was deemed unprofitable and was ultimately abandoned, with the decision being made to use the space to create a unique penthouse.
Who buys housing in Moscow City?
Throughout the business center's existence and growth, a huge number of transactions have taken place in its submarket, with a total value of over 12 billion rubles in 2018, for example. Experts have even created a profile of the typical City real estate buyer. They see him as a 45-year-old married man involved in oil, transportation, construction, or several businesses simultaneously. However, this profile is a composite, as successful restaurateurs, athletes, and businesswomen often purchase City real estate.
