MFC IQ-quarter (IQ)

IQ-quarter is a respectable multifunctional complex consisting of three towers of different purposes, and concurrently the most important transport terminal of "Moscow-City". It was built in the western part of the business district on the 11th plot of MIBC and received the address Presnenskaya Embankment, 10, building 2. Its advantages were appreciated by the authorities, as a result of which they acquired huge areas in office buildings, where 3 Russian ministries were located.

History of construction

Initially, the IQ-quarter multifunctional complex was conceived as a commercial facility with a transport terminal designed to relieve Moscow-City and provide direct communication between the Moscow International Business Center and the Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo airports. In 2003, Citer Invest BV (Netherlands) was selected to build it on a 1.137-hectare site. It was planned to build two office skyscrapers and a 4-star hotel with 390 rooms. The work was to be completed in 2011.

The IQ-quarter project was developed in 2008 by the architectural bureau NBBJ and the engineering company Arup. Having received permission to carry out construction work from the city authorities, the developer immediately began work. In 2008, agreements were reached with VTB Bank to obtain a credit line to finance the construction. However, the crisis that broke out did not allow the bank to allocate funds, which led to the freezing of the project until the beginning of 2009. At that time, the IQ-quarter was a wall in the ground and a pile foundation.

Only a year later, the developer managed to attract the necessary funds to resume construction in the amount of 355 million dollars. Their companies were issued by Belgian financial institutions under guarantees received from VTB. Citer Invest BV claimed that the receipt of funds in the accounts would allow the construction work to be completed already in 2013.

But in 2011, 50% and one share were acquired by the well-known Moscow developer PAO Gals-Development, which eventually completed construction and commissioned the facility in 2016. Today it is managed by Colliers International.

Features of the construction of the IQ-quarter

The underground space of the complex includes 7 floors, part of which is occupied by a transport terminal connected to the airports via railway tracks, and the Mezhdunarodnaya metro station.

The IQ-quarter multifunctional complex has an intelligent facade design supported by natural stone finishing, strict colors, panoramic glazing with tinted glass and fragments of ventilated facades. It has designer entrance groups and designer finishing using premium materials in public areas.

The most modern engineering solutions were used in the creation of the complex, including:

• highly efficient noise-insulating technologies for glazing facades using double-chamber SCHUCO windows;

• a unique air purification system that allows you to achieve the quality of air typical of green suburban areas;

• "smart" heating system, connected simultaneously to two independent heating plants and organized in a complex in the form of convectors built into the floor and low floor-standing steel radiators;

• an uninterruptible power supply system created by switching between two independent city power stations and the presence of a backup power source;

• multi-stage water purification system;

• central air conditioning system with individual temperature and humidity control;

• grounding and lightning protection system.

All this ensures extremely low operating costs for Moscow City and a high quality of life.

The complex has 45 silent ThyssenKrupp elevators, developing speeds from 2 to 6 m/s. The ceiling height in the IQ quarter is at least 3.25 m, and on some floors it reaches 4 meters.

IQ quarter today

The IQ quarter is formed by 3 towers of different heights and floors:

• Tower 1 – 85 m (21 floors);

• Tower 2 – 135 m (33 floors);

• Tower 3 – 168 m (42 floors).

Towers 2 and 3 are Class A office buildings with areas of 44,800 and 73,500 square meters, respectively. They are connected by several open bridges, which are planned to be used for open-air recreation areas.

Tower 1 is intended for the creation of residential housing. It has 207 apartments from 31 to 115 sq. m with a carefully thought-out layout.

Despite its short lifespan, today the IQ quarter is almost completely populated, and there are no offers from the developer to buy apartments or office space. Only isolated offers can now be found for renting offices in the IQ quarter MFC.

The office towers house:

• Rosselkhozbank;

• Ministry of Economic Development;

• Ministry of Industry and Trade;

• Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media;

• services subordinate to ministries;

• AURUS showroom;

• Russian Capital Bank;

• AHML.

The apartments have also been bought out. The developer has decided to fully comply with the name of the complex, so the IQ quarter has become the most reasonable offer in Moscow City. Everything is thought out and taken into account here: reasonable layouts, reasonable area, reasonable cost.

The Vystavochnaya and Delovoy Tsentr metro stations are located in close proximity to the complex, and you can get to the Mezhdunarodnaya station directly from the complex. It is convenient to drive to the IQ-quarter multifunctional complex by car via Presnenskaya Embankment or the Third Transport Ring.

The complex has its own multi-level underground parking designed for 716 parking spaces of various sizes (8.68–31.02 sq. m) and classes. Therefore, parking space owners and their tenants will not have any problems with parking.

In the IQ quarter, the first floors of skyscrapers are united and form a 2-level atrium. They are allocated for shopping galleries and the lobby of the Mezhdunarodnaya metro station. Here is located:

• fitness club;

• shops, boutiques;

• restaurants;

• spa salon.

Residents and office workers also have access to the highly developed infrastructure of Moscow City. The Krasnaya Presnya Park is a 5-minute walk from the complex. For the comfort of apartment owners, there is a 24-hour concierge service that can help with any household issues.

Interesting facts and features

On December 11, 2014, an art installation called “The Eye of Sauron” was held on the roof of the IQ-Kvartal skyscraper in honor of the Russian premiere of the last film in the Hobbit trilogy. This event caused a storm of indignation among representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church and a prediction of future misfortunes that would befall Moscow as a result of the triumphant demonic symbol rising above the city.

IQ-quarter is the only complex in Moscow-City where windows can be opened for ventilation.

In the future, it is expected that a covered pedestrian bridge will be built between the IQ quarter and the Moscow Central Circle (the Delovoy Tsentr metro station).