In Russia, a registry for dilapidated buildings will be established, with the "Checkpoint City" and the "Madrid Hotel" among the listed properties.

In Russia, a registry for dilapidated buildings will be established, with the "Checkpoint City" and the "Madrid Hotel" among the listed properties.

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Let's talk about the recent plan to create an online resource for historic buildings that require restoration, as suggested by Deputy Andrei Al shevskiy. He's concerned about the deteriorating condition of notable sites like "The Chekist's City" and the "Madrid Hotel," stating, "We can't afford to lose our cultural heritage."

This new platform aims to provide potential investors with crucial information, like protective measures, property condition, purchase/use options, and more, ensuring these historic gems are brought back to life.

By 2030, Russia has approximately 1,000 treasures of cultural heritage requiring urgent attention. The parliament is considering leveraging private capital to kick-start this restoration movement. The initiative was proposed by former mayor of Yekaterinburg and current member of the Federation Council, Alexander Vysokinskiy.

"The Chekist's City" will undergo a capital renovation 14 years from now

As per the latest plans, the renovation of the façade, subterranean areas, water supply, sewerage, heating, and electrical systems of the multi-unit buildings "The Chekist's City" on Lenin Street, 69, will take place between 2039 and 2041.

Currently, "Madrid Hotel" at Uралmash is leased by the company "Grand Madrid" for just a single ruble a year. The owner agreed to this cheap deal under the condition that the property would be restored. The renter promised to bring the hotel up to standard, but as of now, no work has begun on the project.

Following a court decision, the "Officers' House" (ODO) - owned by the Central Military District (CVO) - requires immediate renovation, but funding is lacking. Military command is currently seeking contractors to sign a contract. Unfortunately, the building is rapidly deteriorating, as evident both inside and out.

Insights on Historic Restoration in Russia

While a comprehensive, publicly available list of more than a thousand historic buildings in Russia in need of restoration is not available, select key sites and restoration projects highlight the current state and active work regarding Russia's historical architectural heritage.

Notable Historic Buildings and Restoration Projects in Russia

1. Christ the Savior Cathedral, MoscowThe Christ the Savior Cathedral, a symbolic building in Moscow, has a complex history of restoration. The original cathedral was demolished under Stalin in 1931. Its modern reconstruction, completed in 2000, features reproductions of original stone details in bronze and plastic and a marble veneer exterior, symbolizing a "romantic" restoration period rather than a strict historical preservation approach[1].

2. St. Petersburg ConservatoryThe St. Petersburg Conservatory, Russia’s first higher music school dating back to 1862, underwent a significant restoration from 2015 to 2025. The project focused on reviving the facades and interiors to their original appearances while modernizing classrooms and concert halls with advanced acoustics and engineering systems. This building is recognized as a particularly valuable cultural heritage site by the Russian government[4].

3. Tsarskoye Selo Museum-ReserveRestoration efforts continue at Tsarskoye Selo through late 2025, focusing on the Imperial Horse Cemetery and the Pensioner's Stable Pavilion in Alexander Park. Project efforts include researching and recreating marble nameplates for horses that served Russian emperors, representing a detailed and culturally significant restoration project in progress[5].

Background on Restoration and Damage

While specific public references to a large-scale catalog of over a thousand historic Russian buildings requiring restoration are not found, it's known that historic buildings, including religious and cultural monuments, often deteriorate due to factors such as age, neglect, or damage.

Compared to Russia, Ukraine has reported over 1,482 cultural heritage sites and over 2,300 cultural infrastructure facilities damaged since 2022 due to conflict, highlighting the scale and restoration requirements for buildings once part of the Russian Empire or Soviet cultural heritage[3].

Current Situation and Challenges

• Ongoing restoration projects in Russia include the St. Petersburg Conservatory, spanning several years[4].
• Renovation approaches range from closely restoring historical appearances to using modern materials that evoke original aesthetics, such as the Christ the Savior Cathedral[1].
• The sheer number of historic sites and their diverse historical periods and conditions of preservation mean many buildings likely remain in need of restoration, although a centralized public database or list referencing over a thousand such objects is not easily found in available sources.

1. To support the restoration of historic buildings in Russia, potential investors might find valuable information about properties like the Madrid Hotel and the Officers' House (ODO) on a proposed online platform, including protective measures, property conditions, purchase/use options, and more.
2. In the realm of finance and investing, the revitalization of Russia's historical architectural heritage, such as The Chekist's City and the Christ the Savior Cathedral, presents significant opportunities for sustainable development within the real-estate sector, given the Parliament's consideration of leveraging private capital to restore these cultural gems.

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