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From: "Architexturez." <interface.services@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
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Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:01:32 +0530
The Malling of Moscow: Imperial in Size and a View of the Kremlin
By NICOLAI OUROUSSOFF
Published: March 15, 2007
In architectural terms, few cities have endured more abuse than Moscow
has during the last decade or so, from the ruthless demolition of major
historic landmarks to the boom in garish faux-historical reproductions.
So I suppose the news that Norman Foster, one of the world’s most
talented architects, has designed a glorified mall in Moscow shouldn’t
seem tragic.
The project will replace one of the most notorious buildings of the
Soviet period, the gargantuan 1960s-era Rossiya Hotel, on a critical
site overlooking St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin. A sleek complex
of buildings with classical overtones, it will include 470,000 square
feet of retail space, four hotels and a 2,500-seat performance hall,
making it the largest single development in the historic core of Moscow
since the Soviet empire collapsed 15 years ago.
cont'd....
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/15/arts/design/15fost.html?_r=3&ref=arts&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin