So as not to disturb the neighbors

urban planning policy

As Kommersant learned, the Main Directorate for the Protection of Moscow Monuments (GUOP) recognized the building of the central Children's World as a “newly identified architectural monument.” This will force the owner of the department store, AFK Sistema, to seriously reconsider plans for the reconstruction of the building. At the same time, the demolition of Detsky Mir, which was considered by AFK Sistema as one of the reconstruction options, is completely ruled out. Sources in the Moscow government suggest that the new status of Detsky Mir is dictated by its proximity to the FSB building.

"Children's World" on Lubyanka Square was built in the early 60s. Its area is 55 thousand square meters. m, of which retail is 16.2 thousand sq. m. m. Since 1996, the main shareholder of OJSC Detsky Mir has been AFK Sistema. Now she owns 70.5% of the shares, 19.9% is owned by the Moscow Property Department. The project developer is Sistema-GALS CJSC, a subsidiary of Sistema JSFC.

Its owners have been talking about the reconstruction of Detsky Mir for three years. Early last year, department store officials announced they were considering several renovation options. One at a time, the outer walls and basic internal elements of the building remained, the other involves the demolition of the building and the subsequent restoration of the facade to its historical form. In both cases, the content of “Children’s World” was planned to be radically changed. Its area was supposed to be 79 thousand square meters. m, of which approximately 39 thousand sq. m. m - retail space. Investments in the project are estimated at $157 million. In November, the EBRD agreed to issue a loan to finance the project in the amount of $90 million.

However, AFK Sistema will have to seriously adjust its plans for the reconstruction of the building. As Kommersant learned, in January the GUOP recognized Detsky Mir as a newly identified architectural monument. As Nadezhda Lanchikova, head of the department of historical and cultural expertise at the Main Directorate of Public Opinions, told Kommersant, a complete reconstruction of the building is now ruled out. “Now the object is under state protection, and until the Moscow government makes a final decision on the status of the building, only partial reconstruction work is permissible,” she said. According to GUOP inspector Natalya Golubkova, who oversees Detsky Mir, the original permitting documentation allowed for large parameters for reconstruction work, but now, due to such changes, everything will have to be changed. According to the GUOP, the subject of security in the building will be determined in March.

Maxim Gasiev, director of the retail real estate department at Colliers International (this company advised Detsky Mir OJSC on the reconstruction of the building), believes that there is always a risk that a building in the center of Moscow will be recognized as an architectural monument. According to him, now it is important to identify items of protection and understand how to use the areas of Children's World in the newly discovered circumstances. “In any case, the building can be used commercially effectively; Detsky Mir is still generating a flow of money. And there is always the opportunity to invest funds and improve its commercial attractiveness,” he said.

According to Maxim Gasiev, the most pressing issue will be parking under the Children's World. It should be noted that the owners planned to build a multi-level parking lot under the building. Now these plans may not come true. A Kommersant source in the Moscow government suggested that one of the departments that lobbied for the assignment of monument status to the building could be the FSB. According to him, due to the territorial proximity to the FSB building, underground work may be prohibited at Detsky Mir, since “there are secret underground communications in the Lubyanka Square area.” Kommersant was unable to obtain official comments from the FSB.

JSFC Sistema and CJSC Sistema-GALS do not comment on the new status of the facility. “As far as Sistema-GALS knows, the decision to recognize the Children’s World building as an architectural monument has not yet been made,” said a source in the company. Richard Wallis, the EBRD's press representative in Moscow, told Kommersant that AFK Sistema has not yet received money from the EBRD and negotiations on the terms of the loan have not yet been completed. According to him, Sistema has not yet notified about changes in the project.

Kommersant will monitor developments.

BELA Kommersant-LYAUV, MARIA Kommersant-KHANYUTINA

Children's World ordered not to be rebuilt