What were Stalin's skyscrapers called? Why were Stalin's skyscrapers given such a name?

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

During the Soviet era, every head of state cared about the architectural appearance of cities. Today, the terms "Brezhnevka", "Khrushchev" and "Stalinka" are used in all cities of Russia to refer to buildings of a particular period. But at all times, along with typical residential buildings, real works of art were created. What was the name of the Stalinist skyscrapers erected in the post-war years? What is remarkable about these buildings and how did their fate develop? Is it true that according to the initial designs of skyscrapers in the USSR there should have been more?

Sparrow Hills: Moscow State University building

If you ask a native of the capital: "What was the name of Stalin's skyscrapers?" - you will receive an answer immediately - "Stalin's sisters." There are seven buildings in total, and they are really very similar to each other. If you don’t see each one in person, it’s not at all difficult to confuse a residential building on Kotelnicheskaya Embankment and the main building of Moscow State University in the photographs. This skyscraper is the highest, it has 36 floors, some of which are for technical purposes. Construction began in 1949, and already in 1953 the buildingaccepted students. Today, the skyscraper continues to be used for its original purpose, being the main building of the most prestigious university in the country. It also houses a museum. During its existence, many legends have been composed about this building. They say that powerful refrigeration units in the basements are hidden, and secret underground passages. From interesting facts confirmed by official sources, it is known that hundreds of prisoners were involved in the construction, however, this is a common practice for that period.

Smolensko-Sennaya Square: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Not all Stalinist skyscrapers are skyscrapers in the modern sense of the word. For example, the Foreign Ministry building has only 27 floors in height. Construction took about five years, it was started in 1948. An interesting fact is that this building should not have had a spire. Its main decoration is the large coat of arms of the USSR on the facade. But when the project was approved by Comrade Stalin, he personally and arbitrarily completed the vertical of greatness and ordered to build it.

There was no time for a complete revision of the drawings, for this reason the spire was made of sheet steel to reduce its weight. All seven "sisters" were supposed not only to improve the appearance of the capital, but also to demonstrate to the common people and the whole world the greatness of the power that won the brutal war. It is for this reason that scale and tower style are so important. But still, due to the technical features of the project, the building on Smolensko-Sennaya is slightly different from its twins, its spire does not havefive pointed star decorations.

Kutuzovsky Prospekt: Ukraina Hotel

According to the plan of the architects, this building was to become one of the largest hotel complexes in the world. It was partially realized, even today the hotel is included among the largest in Europe. The height of the building is 34 floors, it was put into operation in 1957, after 4 years of construction. This majestic building is located opposite the white house. Not so long ago, the hotel has experienced a large-scale restoration. Today, above the main entrance, you can see the sign of the Radisson Royal Hotel, and inside you can lose count, counting the bars, restaurants and entertainment halls. The thing is that in 2005 the building was sold with the condition of preserving the facade and some of the interior premises of Biscuit LLC. Perhaps in the future a similar fate awaits other Moscow skyscrapers of the Stalinist period. Speaking specifically about "Ukraine", the update did her good, but the result is obvious - not every citizen of our country can afford to stay at the Royal Hotel while visiting the capital.

Kalanchevskaya Street: Leningradskaya Hotel

This building was seen by many guests of the capital, because it majestically rises above the square of three stations. If we compare it with others, the question of how the Stalinist skyscrapers were called will not arise. Despite the modest height (only 17 floors), this style is recognizable at first sight. The building was completed in 1954, its uniqueness lies in the claddingfacade with ceramic tiles. At that time, it was one of the most modern materials that did not require complex care. The small dimensions of the building are compensated by the rich interior and exterior decoration. The skyscraper repeated the fate of "Ukraine", in 2008 it was sold to Hilton. After extensive renovations, the building has acquired the status of a modern hotel, but the Stalinist luxury and romance of that period have been preserved in it.

Red Gate: Multifunctional Home

At the highest point of the Garden Ring, the Stalinist skyscraper was built in 1952. This building is unique primarily due to the construction technology used. In one of its side sectors there is an entrance to the metro. Underground premises and an administrative and residential tower were built at the same time. The project is unique in that the house was originally built with an impressive deviation from a straight line. At the same time, technologies similar to those used in the construction of metro tunnels were used, involving the freezing of part of the soil. After thawing of the soil and natural shrinkage of the structure, it became right-vertical. All other Stalinist skyscrapers in Moscow have some limited purpose. The building on Red Gate Square also stands out on this basis. The central part is occupied by the Ministry of Transport Engineering. In addition, the building houses several large offices and a kindergarten. There are residential apartments in the high-rise.

Kudrinskaya Square: House of Aviators

The history of the construction of Stalin's skyscrapers would be incomplete without mentioning the buildingon Kudrinskaya Square. Alternative names are "House of Aviators" and "Building on Vosstaniya Square". Initially, workers in the aviation sector received apartments here. It is believed that there was a secret KGB observation point on the upper floors, because the US Embassy is located nearby. Legends speak of the presence in a residential building of many secret passages and back exits. Under the majestic building is a large bomb shelter. Today, anyone can buy a home here, but such a purchase will be quite expensive. One of the seven sisters has a similar fate.

Kotelnicheskaya embankment: residential building

Apartments in Stalin's skyscrapers were the dream of ordinary citizens of the USSR. It is believed that they were all distributed at the stage of building houses with the personal approval of Comrade Stalin. The house on Kotelnicheskaya with a stunning view of the Kremlin and Red Square stood out the most. Representatives of art and party leaders settled in it. This house even has its own cinema, which, however, was not used very often. Today, the skyscraper also houses shops and has its own post office. The interior decoration is inferior to the interior of the "House of Aviators", but the front entrance of the central section is well preserved. Today, one does not need to be an outstanding figure to settle in this building. Apartments are freely sold and rented for long periods, prices are high.

Eighth skyscraper?

The project of the eighth skyscraper in the capital was approved - and construction began. Not anywhere but inZaryadye. According to many architects, the construction of this object would seriously harm the ensemble of Red Square. Nevertheless, the foundation was laid, but the main customer, Joseph Vissarionovich, suddenly died. For this reason, the original project was abandoned. They did not dare to leave the unfinished building in such a favorable location, and instead of a skyscraper, a modest building was erected, which later became the Rossiya Hotel.

The complex worked until 2006, after which there were some disputes about the possibility of restoration or dismantling of the building. As a result, the decision was made to demolish the hotel. The building had to be dismantled using only construction equipment, since the Kremlin was too close. Today, on the site of the legendary Soviet hotel, there is a wasteland, it is planned to set up a beautiful park here.

There is another version of how Stalin's skyscrapers were called - "the teeth of the Leader". This satirical naming was not widely used and was forgotten over time. There is an opinion that if Stalin had lived longer, he would have managed to build much more skyscrapers.

How did Stalin's skyscrapers begin?

The history of high-rise buildings in the Russian capital begins with the project of the Palace of Soviets. You can see it only in a film of a fantastic nature. In the thirties, large-scale construction was launched, for the sake of which the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was destroyed. The planned height is 420 meters. Instead of a spire typical of post-war Stalinist skyscrapers,The building was to be crowned with a Russian statue of liberty - a sculpture of Lenin. The project was not implemented due to the war, during which the built part of the palace was so destroyed that it could not be restored. As a result, a large outdoor swimming pool "Moscow" was built on the site of an unreal skyscraper. It is said that Stalin was thinking about bringing this project to life. Be that as it may, only 7 Stalinist skyscrapers were built in Moscow, and they all have survived to this day. Despite the development of the construction industry and architecture in particular, these buildings are still considered monuments of a bygone era and they are known far beyond the borders of our country.