Construction company Praktika Development plans to demolish one of the Soviet Union's first department stores, "Moskva," to build a shopping center, news agency RBC reported.
"We plan to start construction of the new mall in 2-3 years, when the economic situation stabilizes. Investment in the project is estimated to be at least $60 million," Praktika Development CEO Bulat Shakirov told RBC last week.
Russia's economy is predicted to shrink by up to 5 percent this year on the back of low oil prices and Western sanctions over the Ukraine crisis.
The Moskva department store, located on Leninsky Prospekt southwest of the city center, first opened in 1963. At around 23,000 square meters, the store was until the early 2000s the city's third-largest department store after the more famous GUM and TsUM buildings near the walls of the Kremlin in central Moscow.
The mall that will take its place will have underground parking but will retain at least some of the historic character of the building it replaces, according to the developer.
"During construction of the mall, we will preserve the historic atmosphere of the department store. It's possible that there will be a museum [to the Moskva department store]," Shakirov said.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.