How did they call Stalin's skyscrapers? Why Stalin's high-rise buildings were given such a name?

During the USSR, each head of state took care of the architectural appearance of cities. Today the definitions of Brezhnevka, Khrushchevka and Stalinka are used in all cities of Russia to designate the buildings of this or that period. But in fact, at all times, along with the typical apartment buildings were created and the most real works of art. What was the name of the Stalin high-rise buildings built in the post-war years? What is remarkable about these buildings and how their destiny has developed? Is it true that the original projects of skyscrapers in the USSR should have been more?

Vorobyovy Gory: MSU building

If you ask a native of the capital, "What did Stalin's skyscrapers call it?" - you will immediately get an answer - "Stalin's sisters". There are seven buildings in total, and they are really very similar to each other. If you personally do not see everyone, it's not difficult to mix up the apartment house on Kotelnicheskaya Embankment and the main building of Moscow State University. This skyscraper is the highest, it has 36 floors, some of which are technical. Construction was started in 1949, and already in 1953 the building hosted students. Today, the skyscraper continues to be used for its original purpose, being the main building of the most prestigious university in the country. It also houses a museum. During its existence, many legends have been built about this building. They say that both the powerful refrigeration units in the cellars are hidden, and the secret underground passages. Of interesting facts, confirmed by official sources, it is known that hundreds of prisoners were involved in the construction, however, this is a common practice for that period.

Smolensk-Sennaya Square: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Not all Stalin skyscrapers are skyscrapers in the modern sense of the word. For example, the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is only 27 stories high. Construction took about five years, it was started in 1948. Interesting is the fact that the spire this building should not have been. Its main decoration is the large coat of arms of the USSR on the facade. But when the project was approved by Comrade Stalin, he personally drew the vertical of greatness arbitrarily and ordered the construction.

There was no time for full processing of the drawings, for this reason the spire is made of sheet steel to reduce its weight. All seven "sisters" were to not only improve the look of the capital, but also demonstrate to the common people and the whole world the greatness of the power that won the brutal war. It is for this reason that the scale and tower style are so important. But still, because of the technical features of the project, the Smolensko-Sennaya building is slightly different from its twins, its spire does not have a five-pointed star decoration.

Kutuzovsky Avenue: hotel "Ukraine"

According to the architects, this building was to become one of the largest hotel complexes in the world. To realize it partially succeeded, even in our days the hotel is included in the number of the most large-scale in Europe. The height of the building is 34 floors, it was commissioned in 1957, after 4 years of construction. This majestic building is located opposite the white house. Not so long ago, the hotel experienced a large-scale restoration. Today, above the main entrance, you can see the sign of the Radisson Royal Hotel, and inside you lose count, counting bars, restaurants and entertainment halls. The thing is that in 2005 the building was sold with the condition of preserving the facade and some internal premises of the company "Biscuit." Perhaps in the future such a fate awaits and other Moscow skyscrapers of the Stalin period. Speaking specifically about the "Ukraine", the update went to its advantage, but the result is obvious - not every citizen of our country can afford to stop at the Royal Hotel while visiting the capital.

Kalanchevskaya Street: hotel "Leningradskaya"

This building was seen by many guests of the capital, because it towers majestically over the area of three railway stations. If we compare it with others, the question of how Stalin's skyscrapers was called will not arise. Despite the modest height (only 17 floors), this style is recognizable at a glance. The building was completed in 1954, its uniqueness lies in facing the facade with ceramic tiles. At that time it was one of the most advanced materials, which did not require complex maintenance. Insignificant dimensions of the building are compensated by a rich interior and exterior decoration. Vysotka repeated the fate of "Ukraine", in 2008 it was sold to the company Hilton. After large-scale repair works the building acquired the status of a modern hotel, but Stalin's luxury and romance of that period in it were preserved.

Red Gate: a multifunctional house

At the highest point of the Garden Ring Stalinist skyscraper was built in 1952. This building is unique due to the technology of erection used. In one of its lateral sectors there is an entrance to the metro. At the same time, they built underground rooms and an administrative and residential tower. The project is unique in that the house was originally erected with an impressive deviation from the straight. At the same time, technologies similar to those used for laying subway tunnels were used, suggesting the freezing of some of the ground. After the thawing of the soil and the natural shrinkage of the structure, it has become properly vertical. All other Stalinist skyscrapers in Moscow have some limited purpose. The building on the Red Gate Square stands out for this feature. The central part is occupied by the Ministry of Transport Engineering. In addition, there are several large offices and a kindergarten in the building. In the high-rise there are also residential apartments.

Kudrinskaya square: Aviator's house

The history of the construction of Stalin's skyscrapers would be incomplete without mentioning the building on Kudrinskaya Square. Alternative names - "Aviator's House" and "Building on the Uprising Square". Initially, the apartments were given to aviation workers. It is believed that on the upper floors there was a secret KGB observation post, as the US embassy is located nearby. Legends say there are a lot of secret moves and black exits in the house. Under the majestic building is a large bomb shelter. Today anyone can buy housing here, but such a purchase will be quite expensive. A similar fate and one of the seven sisters.

Kotelnicheskaya embankment: residential building

Apartments in Stalin's skyscrapers were a dream of ordinary citizens of the USSR. It is believed that they were all distributed at the stage of building houses with the personal approval of Comrade Stalin. The most distinguished house on Kotelnicheskaya with a stunning view of the Kremlin and Red Square. They settled in it representatives of art and party figures. In this house there is even own cinema, which, however, was not used too often. Today there are shops in the high-rise, there is a post office. The interior decoration is inferior to the interior of the Aviators' House, but the front entrance of the central section is well preserved. Today, to settle in this building, you do not need to be an outstanding figure. Apartments are freely sold and rent for long periods, the prices are high.

The eighth high-rise?

The project of the eighth metropolitan skyscraper was approved - and construction began. Not anywhere, but in the Charge. According to many architects, the construction of this facility would seriously harm the ensemble of Red Square. Nevertheless, the foundation was laid, but suddenly the main customer, Iosif Vissarionovich, died. For this reason, the original project was abandoned. Leave the unfinished in such a profitable place did not dare, and instead of high-rise was erected a modest structure, which later became the hotel "Russia". Worked the complex until 2006, after which there was some discussion about the possibility of restoration or dismantling of the building. As a result, it was decided to demolish the hotel. The construction had to be dismantled using only construction equipment, since the Kremlin is too close. Today on the site of the legendary Soviet hotel wasteland, it is planned to break a beautiful park here.

There is also one more version of what Stalin's skyscrapers called "the teeth of the Leader". This satirical naming was not widely used, but over time it was forgotten. There is an opinion that if Stalin lived longer, skyscrapers, he would have managed to build much more.

Where did the Stalin skyscrapers begin?

The history of high-rise buildings in the Russian capital begins with the project of the Palace of Soviets. You can see it only in a film of a fantastic nature. In the thirties, large-scale construction was launched, for the sake of which the Church of Christ the Savior was destroyed. The planned height is 420 meters. Instead of the spire, typical for the post-war Stalinist skyscrapers, the building was to be crowned with a Russian statue of freedom - the sculpture of Lenin. The project was not implemented because of the war, during which the built part of the palace was destroyed so that it was not subject to restoration. As a result, on the site of the unreal skyscraper was built a large outdoor swimming pool "Moscow". They say that Stalin thought about the implementation of this project. Whatever it was, only 7 Stalin skyscrapers were built in Moscow, and they all survived to this day. Despite the development of the construction sector and architecture in particular, these buildings are still considered monuments of a bygone era and they are known far beyond our country.