What is known about the skyscraper project on Novy Arbat

A skyscraper in the form of a scroll will be built next to the “book house” on Novy Arbat. This option for the reconstruction of the historical SEV building was voted for by almost half of Muscovites on the “Active Citizen” portal. Other options included the construction of three high-rises at this site and the erection of another “book house” near the old one. The project’s investor is the company “Kievskaya Ploshchad”. The “scroll house” will house offices, shops, and a gastro-space. According to RBC sources, the SEV building itself will be reconstructed with a major renovation of the facade.

It is believed that the historical appearance of the “book house” will remain untouched. At the same time, it was noted that some “postcard views” of the capital will become worse: “It’s good that the building will be preserved because it is definitely a rather interesting example of world-class modernism from the 1960s, the very form of the building, mosaics, and decor. At the same time, the so-called ‘scroll house’ will likely not so much spoil the view of Novy Arbat specifically, but rather some historical panoramas. The building is tall, and most likely, it will be visible from the city center, similar to how the Swissotel once burst into the panorama on Red Square next to St. Basil’s Cathedral.”

According to representatives, the new cluster will become a center of business and social life in Moscow. From an economic point of view, this is a very promising project: “The main question, of course, is what will happen to the old ‘book house’ building, because its technical and engineering parameters, characteristics in terms of floor height, are somewhat outdated. Given that it has its own utilities, its own territory, and so on, there is not much space left for a new project.

As for the skyscraper itself, the investment is certainly measured not in tens of billions of rubles, but rather in hundreds. Generally, a project of this level, in terms of functionality, will become one of the most iconic in Moscow in recent years.

Any other buildings that will be built will probably pale in comparison. As for the attractiveness of the skyscraper for investors, on the one hand, the office market is experiencing a boom and is really developing very actively in terms of demand. That is, such business real estate will be very popular with buyers because the developer will likely go the route of selling offices rather than renting them. As for retail real estate, on the one hand, it has not been doing very well in recent years, on the other hand, this is an iconic location, and the owner has the largest retail portfolio in the country. I am sure that the retail there will also be interesting, in demand, and with fairly high rental rates.”

The start and end dates for the reconstruction work on the SEV building are not yet known. An inquiry has been sent to the Moscow construction complex and a response is awaited.

Novy Arbat

Novy Arbat is a major avenue in central Moscow, Russia, constructed in the 1960s as part of a large-scale Soviet urban redevelopment project. It is famous for its distinctive, high-rise buildings and was a modern architectural showcase of its era, intended to be a new administrative and commercial center for the city.

SEV building

The SEV Building is a historic Art Deco skyscraper located in Athens, Greece. Completed in 1938, it was originally constructed to house the headquarters of the Greek Electric Company (SEV) and for decades was the tallest building in the city. It remains a significant architectural landmark of the interwar period.

book house

The term “book house” most commonly refers to the Tianjin Binhai Library in China, a stunning modern cultural center designed to resemble a giant eye. Opened in 2017, its dramatic, floor-to-ceiling shelving was built to promote reading and establish a new architectural landmark for the city.

Active Citizen

“Active Citizen” is a digital platform, not a physical place, launched by the Moscow city government. It was created to facilitate citizen engagement by allowing residents to vote on city-wide issues and urban improvement projects. The initiative represents a modern approach to civic participation, leveraging technology to gather public opinion for municipal decision-making.

Kievskaya Ploshchad

Kievskaya Ploshchad (Kiev Square) is a major city square in Moscow, Russia, named in honor of the city of Kyiv (Kiev). It was developed in the 19th century and is historically significant as the starting point of the old road to Kyiv. The square is dominated by the grand Kievsky Railway Station, an architectural landmark built in 1917.

Red Square

Red Square is a historic public square in Moscow, Russia, flanked by iconic landmarks like the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was established in the late 15th century and has served for centuries as a marketplace, a site for public ceremonies, and a political gathering place.

St. Basil’s Cathedral

St. Basil’s Cathedral is a 16th-century Russian Orthodox church located on Moscow’s Red Square. It was commissioned by Tsar Ivan the Terrible to commemorate the capture of the cities of Kazan and Astrakhan. Its distinctive and colorful onion domes make it one of the most recognizable symbols of Russia.

Swissotel

Swissôtel is a global hotel chain founded in 1980, originally established by Swissair to promote Swiss hospitality standards internationally. It is known for its modern design and efficient service, drawing inspiration from its Swiss heritage of precision and quality.