10 of Russia’s 21st-century architectural masterpieces (PHOTOS)
1. Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg
The world's northernmost skyscraper and the tallest in Europe (462 m; 1,515 ft.). The building is visible from virtually anywhere in the city. It was designed by British architect Tony Kettle and Russian architectural company ‘Gorproekt’.
The tower's five wings twist almost 90 degrees, tapering towards the top. Instead of a roof, there's a spire-lightning rod with an automatic weather station. Inside are the ‘Gazprom’ energy giant’s headquarters, as well as public spaces.
Read more about the Lakhta Center here.
2. Zaryadye, Moscow
The park was built in 2017 on the site of the demolished Soviet-era‘Rossiya’ hotel, right next to the Moscow Kremlin. The concept was developed by an international team: ‘Diller Scofidio + Renfro’, ‘Hargreaves Associates’ from New York and urbanists from the Moscow-based company ‘Citymakers’.
The project brings together the city and the natural landscapes from across Russia: You can see tundras, taigas, steppes, swamps and even ice caves; or take a virtual flight over Russia. Also, one of Moscow's best concert halls with excellent acoustics, an open‑air stage and exhibition spaces is located in the center of the park.
3. Krasnodar Park
The park near the soccer stadium was built in 2017 with funds from local entrepreneur and businessman Sergey Galitsky. Locals unofficially call it ‘Galitsky Park’. The project was led by Igor Markov, architect at the Russian office of the German company ‘GMP Architects’. The park features an amphitheater-canyon, elegant fountains, blooming gardens, labyrinths and public art installations – plenty of space to explore and take photos!
4. Olympic Park, Sochi
The legacy of the 2014 Winter Olympics is a sports cluster on the Black Sea coast. The concept was developed by ‘Olimpstroy’, with each building designed by an international team of architects. The ‘Fisht’ Stadium with its translucent roof reminiscent of snowy mountains was designed byU.S. firm ‘Populous’. The ‘Bolshoi’ Ice Palace in the shape of a water drop was designed by Russian company ‘Sportproekt’, while the race track was the brainchild of German firm ‘Tilke Engineers & Architects’. The park has since become one of Sochi’s calling cards.
5. Kamal Theater, Kazan
The oldest Tatar theater moved into a new building in 2025. It was designed by Japanese firm ‘Kengo Kuma & Associates’ in association with Russia's ‘Wowhaus’. The facade, made of triangular glass-and-aluminum panels, reflects the lake and the sky, evoking the "ice flowers" on Lake Kaban. Inside, the decor is in the Tatar-style and a new stage with world-class acoustics.
6. Cultural space 'Pakgauzy', Nizhny Novgorod
These metal frameworks were originally constructed in 1882 for the ‘All‑Russian Exhibition’. In the 21st century, they have been given a new lease on life. In 2022, a concert hall and exhibition space with mirrored facades opened at Strelka, at the confluence of the Oka and Volga rivers. The openwork trusses were left visible, with glass and modern details added. The architectural project was developed by Moscow-based firm ‘SPICH’.
7. Airport in Novy Urengoy
The airport in this Yamal city opened in 2023. It’s stylized after a ‘chum’, the traditional dwelling of northern nomads. The building has been adapted to the climate: three heated jet bridges, a warm tunnel for buses and modern lighting and signaling equipment. The terminal was designed by Belarusian‑British architect Alex Bitus.
8. Russky Bridge, Vladivostok
The cable‑stayed bridge across the Eastern Bosphorus Strait was built for the 2012 ‘APEC’ Summit. It connects Vladivostok with Russky Island. It currently holds the record for the longest span among cable‑stayed bridges – 1,104 m (3,622 ft.) – and is also one of the tallest bridges in the world (324 m; 1,063 ft.). It was designed by Russian architects and engineers led by ‘NPO Mostovik’. The Russky Bridge is even featured on the 2,000‑ruble banknote.
9. Platov Airport, Rostov‑on‑Don
This airport in southern Russia was built ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The architectural concept was developed by British firm ‘Twelve Architects’. The idea was to present the airport as a "bridge to the sky" connecting cities and countries. The architects expressed this using parabolic arches of varying heights.
10. Moscow City
This is, perhaps, the most recognizable skyline of 21st‑century Moscow! The idea for the business district in the capital belongs to Russian architect Boris Thor. These skyscrapers house offices, residences and entertainment venues. The tallest among them is the ‘Federation Tower’ (374 m; 1,227 ft.)) and was designed by Sergey Tchoban and Peter Schweger.