Capital City Hall Proposes Voting for Three Options to Rebuild the SEV Building

Moscow authorities have proposed three architectural options for rebuilding the famous «book-building» on Novy Arbat, which housed the headquarters of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (SEV) during Soviet times, for a vote on the «Active Citizen» project. Citizens can choose between a new scroll-shaped building that will be twice as tall as the current one, a 355-meter complex of skyscrapers resembling a ship from «Star Wars,» and a smaller complex resembling a sail. One of the proposed options involves demolishing the book-building, while the other two involve its renovation. The Moscow city government promises to create a new complex in the format of a «socio-cultural cluster.»

The «Active Citizen» website states that the building of the former Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (built in 1970 on Novy Arbat) is «awaiting a new chapter» – it is planned to be transformed into a «socio-cultural cluster with educational, sports, and cultural-entertainment facilities.»

«Its renewal is a necessity due to its technical condition. The new architectural complex will link Novy Arbat, the Moscow-City business center, and the neighboring residential areas into a cohesive urban panorama,» the Moscow government reported.

The new appearance for the «dominant feature of Novy Arbat» is proposed to be chosen from three projects. In the first, to the left and behind the book-building, a spiraling skyscraper «resembling a scroll» is depicted. Its height and other parameters are not provided in the project description. Judging by the renders, the «scroll» will be approximately twice as tall as the existing SEV building. The second option shows a complex of three even larger skyscrapers. Two buildings are connected by a bridge; they widen in the first third and narrow towards the top. In the third project, the SEV building «will remain the main compositional center of the area,» but a skyscraper approximately one and a half times taller, resembling a sail, will be built behind it.

The parameters of the buildings are also not provided.

Only in one option is the book-building proposed to be demolished; in the other two, it will be renovated. An Active Citizen user can also choose a fourth option, entrusting the «team of specialists» to determine the fate of the building.

Details about the planned reconstruction of the former SEV building were not provided at the time of the initial announcement. Options for renovation projects, including the one resembling a ship from «Star Wars,» began appearing. It was claimed that the projected height of this 76-story complex is 355 m, and its total area is 696 thousand sq. m. The former SEV building consists of three buildings with a total area of 56.44 thousand sq. m; its height is 106 m.

The city hall plans to attract an investor for the renovation project. The necessity of attracting an investor is explained by the complexity of the process and significant costs. The company stated that the total area of the «new socio-cultural cluster» will exceed 600 thousand sq. m.

The former SEV building is considered «worthy of preservation.»

«This is the first object of the new wave of Soviet modernist architecture. From an architectural point of view, it is a remarkable work. Touching it is simply uncultured,» it was said.

By the evening, about 40 thousand people had voted in the AG poll on the appearance of the SEV. The majority, 45% of the votes, were cast for the option with the scroll-shaped building.

SEV Building

The SEV Building is a historic Art Deco skyscraper located in the heart of Athens, Greece. Completed in 1938, it was originally the headquarters for the Hellenic Electricity Company (Société Electrique de Villes, hence SEV) and was one of the city’s first modern high-rises. It remains a significant architectural landmark of the interwar period.

Council for Mutual Economic Assistance

The Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (Comecon) was an economic organization founded in 1949 and led by the Soviet Union. It served as a platform for economic cooperation and trade among the communist states of the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War. The organization dissolved in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Eastern Bloc.

Novy Arbat

Novy Arbat (New Arbat) is a major avenue in Moscow, Russia, constructed in the 1960s as part of a large-scale Soviet urban redevelopment project. It is famous for its row of high-rise buildings known as «The Dentures,» which were built as modern residential and office complexes. Today, it is a prominent commercial street, housing numerous shops, restaurants, and businesses.

Moscow-City business center

The Moscow-City business center is a modern commercial district in the capital, known for its cluster of skyscrapers that form a striking, futuristic skyline. Its development began in the 1990s as a post-Soviet project to create a new financial hub for Russia. Today, it is a major business address, home to the country’s tallest skyscraper, the Federation Tower.

Active Citizen

I am unable to provide a summary for «Active Citizen» as it does not refer to a specific physical place or cultural site. The term is more commonly associated with a concept of civic engagement or, in some contexts, a specific e-government platform like Moscow’s «Active Citizen» app for public referendums.

Star Wars

«Star Wars» is a globally renowned science fiction media franchise created by George Lucas, beginning with the 1977 film *Star Wars* (later retitled *A New Hope*). Its history spans over four decades, chronicling a mythic struggle in a galaxy «far, far away» between the Jedi, who uphold peace, and the Sith, who embrace the dark side of the Force. The franchise has expanded into one of history’s most successful and influential brands, encompassing films, television series, books, and merchandise.

book-building

«Book-building» refers to a financial process, not a physical place or cultural site. It is the method used by investment banks during an Initial Public Offering (IPO) to determine the demand and optimal price for a new security. The practice involves generating and recording investor demand before setting the final offer price.

socio-cultural cluster

A socio-cultural cluster is not a specific place but a conceptual grouping of interconnected cultural institutions, organizations, or activities within a defined area. These clusters, such as museum districts or theater quarters, are often intentionally developed to revitalize urban spaces and foster community engagement. Their history is tied to urban planning initiatives that aim to concentrate cultural resources to boost economic vitality and social cohesion.