There is a threat of destruction of the cultural cluster “Crystal” for the sake of a 300-meter skyscraper

It is reported that the historical territory on the banks of the Yauza is under threat

Deputy of the Lefortovo district Alexandra Andreeva said that the historical complex “State Wine Warehouse”, the territory of which is now occupied by the cultural cluster “Crystal”, can be built up with 300-meter skyscrapers. According to the official, such a decision has already been approved, although this complex, built on the banks of the Moscow River in 1902, is recognized as a cultural heritage site of regional significance.

It is reported that the same expert from the Ministry of Culture, Ekaterina Bashirova, who 14 years ago participated in the process of recognizing the complex as a cultural heritage site, now proposes to deprive the protected status of one of the buildings, which was once used as a storage facility for alcoholic beverages. It was built in the 1920s and is part of the ensemble of the historical territory.

Let us remember that the complex on the banks of the Moscow River was once occupied by a distillery, which closed production 10 years ago. Two years later, in 2015, the territory received protected status. In August of this year, a cultural cluster was opened there, where they promised to regularly hold concerts, performances, theatrical performances, and master classes for adults and children. For many years, Muscovites have been waiting for this event, because the historical factory space was supposed to connect the cultural territory into a route – from the contemporary art venues “Winzavod” and “Artplay” to the Rublev Museum, which should also soon go beyond the Andronikov Monastery and occupy the historical buildings next door.

“Moscow State Wine Warehouse No. 1” in Lefortovo began to be built back in 1984 by decree of Finance Minister Sergei Witte. The state plant opened in 1901 – then it was the largest of its kind. The distillery became private after the collapse of the USSR, but the company has long moved production outside of Moscow. The art cluster made big creative plans – the place has already become a landmark of the area. In addition, in this area it is prohibited to build high-rise buildings on the entire territory adjacent to the complex. However, something went wrong.

“In 2009, expert Bashirova recognized the alcohol storage building as a cultural heritage site, and in 2023 she suddenly called it an “ordinary utilitarian building.” Is this incompetence or bias?” – local deputy Alexandra Andreeva is perplexed.