In Moscow, the northern vestibule is being demolished. It is located on Presnenskaya Embankment next to the Moscow-City business center. Workers have already completely dismantled the circular gallery near the Afimall shopping center. Previously, Ernst Neizvestny’s sculpture „Tree of Life“ stood there, which is now reportedly planned to be placed in one of the buildings of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University.

Now only the escalator gallery remains of the northern vestibule: all three lifts are filled with concrete, slabs and debris. Tangled wiring, broken white chipboard doors and cut-off pipes stick out from the sides. The construction site is fenced off with barriers, behind which special equipment stands.

History of the Bagration Bridge

The Bagration pedestrian bridge was built in 1997 for the 850th anniversary of Moscow. It became the first facility of the Moscow-City business center and connected Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment with Taras Shevchenko Embankment.

The Bagration had two levels: the lower level was a glass-enclosed gallery with moving walkways, while the upper level was partially open and combined retail space with a panoramic viewing platform. A significant portion of the space – about 4,000 square meters out of 13,600 – was allocated for shops and cafes.

Passage across the bridge was closed in late March 2025. It was stated that the Bagration was to undergo major repairs. Initially, they planned to finish by July 2026. Later, the Moscow Department of Transport clarified that the reconstruction would take longer – until December 31, 2030.

The commercial-pedestrian bridge has been owned since 2024 by the firm „Parom“, which is connected to the merged companies Wildberries and Russ (RVB). The latter plans to build a skyscraper about 400 meters high on the site of the demolished vestibule, which will become their headquarters. The bridge is planned to be integrated into the first floors of the new tower.

While work is underway, Muscovites are advised to cross the Moscow River using the Filyovskaya metro line, the Moscow Central Circle, and the Moscow Central Diameters line 4. They can also use river trams that run between the „City-Central“ and „City-Bagration“ piers. More details about how to get from Presnenskaya Embankment to Taras Shevchenko Embankment and back are available.

It was also reported that another tower will appear on the territory of the Moscow-City business center. One Tower (the name of the future building

Bagration Bridge

The Bagration Bridge is a modern steel and glass pedestrian bridge spanning the Moscow River, opened in 1997. It was constructed as part of the Moscow City international business center development and is named after the Russian general Pyotr Bagration. The bridge is notable for its commercial gallery and offers panoramic views of the city’s skyline.

Moscow-City

Moscow-City (Москва-Сити) is a modern business district in the Russian capital, known for its striking cluster of skyscrapers. Its development began in the 1990s on the site of a former stone quarry with the aim of creating an international business hub. Today, it is a major financial center and home to some of Europe’s tallest buildings.

Presnenskaya Embankment

Presnenskaya Embankment is a major thoroughfare on the Moscow River, historically an industrial zone that has been transformed into the city’s primary modern business district. It is now most famous as the location of the Moscow International Business Center (Moskva-City), a striking complex of skyscrapers built largely in the 21st century. This area represents a dramatic shift in Moscow’s urban landscape from its industrial past to a contemporary global financial hub.

Afimall

Afimall City is a major shopping and entertainment complex located in Moscow, Russia, near the Moscow-City business district. Opened in stages beginning in 2014, it is one of the largest malls in Europe and was developed as a central part of the modern commercial hub rising on the site of a former industrial area.

Tree of Life

The Tree of Life is a solitary 400-year-old mesquite tree located in the barren desert of Bahrain, renowned for its mysterious survival despite the lack of an apparent water source. Its longevity and isolation have made it a national landmark and a powerful symbol of life and resilience, with local folklore attributing its existence to divine intervention or the lost waters of the Garden of Eden.

Bauman Moscow State Technical University

Bauman Moscow State Technical University is Russia’s oldest and most prestigious technical university, founded in 1830 by Emperor Nicholas I as the Moscow Craft School. It gained its current name and status in 1989, building upon a longstanding legacy of training elite engineers for the Soviet and Russian aerospace, defense, and engineering sectors. The university is renowned for its rigorous programs and is often referred to as the „cradle of Russian engineering.“

Taras Shevchenko Embankment

The Taras Shevchenko Embankment is a scenic promenade along the Dnipro River in Kyiv, Ukraine. It is named in honor of Taras Shevchenko, the 19th-century national poet and artist who is a foundational figure of modern Ukrainian literature and a symbol of the country’s cultural identity. The embankment offers picturesque views of the river and the city and serves as a popular public space for both locals and visitors.

Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment

Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment is a major thoroughfare on the Moskva River in Moscow, Russia. Historically an industrial zone, it is now a modern business district, most famous as the site of the massive Stalinist skyscraper known as the „White House,“ which served as the Russian parliament building and was a focal point during the 1991 and 1993 political crises.