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November 6, 2007
Moscow City:
The Federation Tower Under Construction

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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.

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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


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Cars parked in front of the Moscow City Metro station and mall


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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


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Sign directing visitors to the Mirax Group's 35th floor sales offices


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Construction workers and security guards on site


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One of the lower levels of the building under construction


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View from the 35th floor looking to the west of Moscow


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View from the 35th floor looking southwest towards Poklonnaya Hill and St. George's Church (left)


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View from the 35th floor looking down to the parking garage under construction


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Charles Ganske on the 35th floor


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Charles Ganske next to a model of the Federation Tower on the 35th floor


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Charles Ganske posing with one of Moscow's "Golden Youth" on the 35th floor


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Mirax Group offices on the 35th floor


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Russia's Vneshtorbank (VTB) is slated to be the largest tenant in the Federation Tower, leasing 33 floors


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Construction is going on around the clock at the site


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The Pyotr Bagration Bridge between the Metro stop and Tower 2000 holds several shops and cafes


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Inside the Bagration Bridge on a moving walkway


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The embankment of the Moscow River viewed from the bridge


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Construction of the Federation Tower is scheduled to be completed in 2009


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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


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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.



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Russia Blog presents up-to-date news, facts and commentary on the state of events in Russia and the former Soviet Union. The blog is managed by Yuri Mamchur, Director of Discovery Institute's Real Russia Project and a composer in his spare time.


 






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