The Federation Tower Under Construction
The Federation Tower on Friday, October 12, 2007
Moscow's futuristic Federation Tower and the Moscow City complex become popular symbols of the New Russia. In both Moscow and St. Petersburg, the Federation Tower is featured on billboards for the Russian Ministry of Defense's Zvezda (Star) TV channel. The Moscow City complex was also featured in the Russian dark comedy film 20 Cigarettes.
Mirax Group, the company developing the $12 billion dollar project, was kind enough to grant Russia Blog a tour of the Federation Tower last month. Due to ongoing construction, the tour stopped at the 35th floor. However, even from this vantage point, the largest construction project in Europe is an impressive site.
Click on the extended post to view more photos.
The eastern spire of the Federation Tower will stand 1,660 feet (360 meters) or 93 stories high and will be the tallest skyscraper in Europe, until the completion of the neighboring Russia (Rossiya) Tower in 2012. China's State Construction Engineering Corporation is the leading contractor for the west wing, while Turkey's Ant Yapi is developing the east wing. The bridge between the two spires will host restaurants and cafes, while the elevator to the top will have a 360 degree view of the city and move at 40 miles per hour. The top floors will include both offices and luxury apartments
Cars parked in front of the Moscow City Metro station and mall
Part of the underground parking garage for Moscow City. The garage has to be big to accomodate both daytime and nighttime residents. Moscow City will combine office, retail and residential space into a new downtown area one square kilometer in size. The complex is being designed by the German architecture firm NPS Tchoban Voss
Sign directing visitors to the Mirax Group's 35th floor sales offices
Construction workers and security guards on site
One of the lower levels of the building under construction
View from the 35th floor looking to the west of Moscow
View from the 35th floor looking southwest towards Poklonnaya Hill and St. George's Church (left)
View from the 35th floor looking down to the parking garage under construction
Charles Ganske on the 35th floor
Charles Ganske next to a model of the Federation Tower on the 35th floor
Charles Ganske posing with one of Moscow's "Golden Youth" on the 35th floor
Mirax Group offices on the 35th floor
Russia's Vneshtorbank (VTB) is slated to be the largest tenant in the Federation Tower, leasing 33 floors
Construction is going on around the clock at the site
The Pyotr Bagration Bridge between the Metro stop and Tower 2000 holds several shops and cafes
Inside the Bagration Bridge on a moving walkway
The embankment of the Moscow River viewed from the bridge
Construction of the Federation Tower is scheduled to be completed in 2009
The new Metro stop serving Moscow City. This Metro station is likely to become much more crowded than it is now once Moscow's municipal government and parliament relocate to Moscow City beginning in 2008. Members of the Moscow Duma, the Mayor's staff, and thousands of government workers will be housed in four 71 story office buildings connected by a bridge built in the shape of an "M" for Moskva
Charles Ganske doing his best "M for Moskva" impersonation at a local Chocolatnitsa restaurant
Chocolatnitsa is a competitor to the Kafe Haus chain of restaurants in Russia
All of these photos were taken with a Nikon Coolpix 5600 digital camera without a tripod. Link and reference to Russia Blog required when reposting these photos.
