Moscow City, Moscow, Russia

Do You know that Moscow has skyscrapers? Near the city center there is a piece of land that will remind you of other similar places in Paris or London. The Moscow International Business Center, also known as «Moscow-City», is the main shopping district of the Russian capital, located on Presnenskaya embankment, just minutes from the Government House of the Russian Federation.

The business center is the first zone in Russia that combines business activity, living space and entertainment in one project. The Moscow government first conceived the project in 1992, and its implementation continues to this day. An estimated 250 000-300 000 people work, live or visit the complex at any moment. Now «Moscow-City» occupies more than 60 hectares and includes 19 buildings, including «Federation» and «OKO» towers, known as one of the tallest skyscrapers in Europe.

The construction of «Moscow-City» takes place on the Presnenskaya embankment of the Moscow River, about four kilometers west of Red Square and east of the Third Ring Road. The project covers an area of ​​60 hectares, and the selected territory is the only one in the center of Moscow that can accommodate such a project. The total cost of the complex is estimated at $12 billion.

The initiator of the construction of the international business district was the architect Boris Ivanovich Thor (1929-2009), and in 1992 the project began. Currently, the chief architect of Moscow, Gennady Lvovich Sirota, is responsible for the construction of the complex as a whole, but each building have its own investor and architect.

70% of the space in Moscow City is occupied by offices, 20% by residential properties and 10% by commercial tenants. Here is a list of the most famous skyscrapers of the complex (from the highest to the lowest in height):

• «Federation» tower, which is one of the tallest buildings (374 meters). On the 60th floor there is a «Sixty» gourmet restaurant, which offers one of the most beautiful views of Moscow.
• «OKO» towers contain both residential and commercial premises. The height of one of the towers is 352 meters, which makes it the second highest building in the district. On the 85th floor there is a Russian cuisine restaurant «Ruski», and on the 86th there is a skating rink
• «Mercury Tower» you will notice by its pink-gold color and a height of 339 meters.
• «Evolution» tower attracts attention with its spiral shape.

For fans of shopping, the complex has a modern six-story shopping center «Afimall City», in which more than 400 shops, 50 restaurants, a bowling club and IMAX cinema.

But the main attraction of the business center is the viewing Museum «Moscow City». At an altitude of 215 meters, you can observe the capital from a bird’s eye view, as well as see and touch with your own hands the installations of Soviet and modern buildings of the city. In addition, on the territory of the Moscow City complex there are two hotels: «Novotel Moscow-City» and the «Imperia City» boutique hotel, located on the 55th floor of the «Empire» tower. As mentioned above, the complex has several gourmet restaurants with panoramic views of the capital («Sixty» and «Ruski»).

The middle segment is represented by Pan-Asian restaurants «Bamboo Bar» and Italian – «Tutto Bene». Both establishments are located on the first floors of skyscrapers and open summer terraces with panoramic views of the Moscow River.

Also on the territory of the business center you can find several gastronomic bars, hookahs, bakeries and restaurants with famous chefs.

The complex operates round the clock and every day, however, it is best to visit «Moscow-City» on a fair-weather work day, in order to comfortably stroll among the skyscrapers and see the bird’s panorama of the capital.

«Moscow-City» is a reflection of modern Russia. However, this is not only the heart of business Moscow, but also a unique complex that combines luxury and comfort, business and entertainment, comfort and the vibrant life of a metropolis. By visiting this place, you can not only boast photographs against the backdrop of the best panoramas of the city, but also feel yourself part of our vast world among the highest skyscrapers.

Author: Matunkina Daria