Gazprom has selected authors for the construction of its skyscraper in St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg - In the architectural competition for the construction of a new grand headquarters for the Russian gas giant Gazprom, the investor has selected the project from the British firm RMJM. Gazprom intends to build a skyscraper more than 300 meters tall in the center of St. Petersburg, although the public and some experts protest that the planned construction will destroy the historical value of the city, writes Reuters.
    The gas giant Gazprom is planning to build its headquarters in the center of St. Petersburg, near the Neva River. Nearly all the leading figures in contemporary world architecture have shown interest in processing this enticing contract, which is estimated to cost about 600 million dollars (approximately 13 billion Czech crowns).
    Among the broader selection were the designs by Italian architect Massimiliano Fuksas, the Swiss duo Herzog&deMeuron, Daniel Libeskind, and British creator Richard Rogers.
    In the final stage, Gazprom was deciding between the project by French architect Jean Nouvel, the design from the Dutch firm OMA by Rem Koolhaas, and ultimately the winning work by the British firm RMJM.
    Opponents of the gas company's plans to build the giant skyscraper mainly point out that the building would irrevocably destroy the appearance of the historical center of St. Petersburg, which is listed on the UNESCO World Architectural Heritage list.
    Notably, the renowned expert and director of the world-famous Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Mikhail Piotrovsky, has strongly opposed the new construction. "Visitors come mainly for the unique charm of St. Petersburg... If we destroy this charm, we will also lose our financial foundation for the future," he said.
    Supporters of the building named Gazprom City argue that St. Petersburg needs to attract investors and cannot remain solely focused on the past.
    The British architectural firm RMJM gained fame, for example, for designing skyscrapers for the city of Dubai. The St. Petersburg skyscraper according to their design is to take the form of a pentagonal tower, whose walls spiral upwards.

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> Competition for Gazprom City in St. Petersburg [10.11.2006]