Classics 2.0, or the Modern interpretation of Samara architecture

Property and historical-cultural affairs

Procedure on transferring the building located in Samara at the crossing of Vilonovskaya and Galaktionovskaya streets as well as a land plot under it was started in 2012.

“Process of registration of ownerships for building and the land plot and, as a consequence, our plans for building renovation were a little bit delayed due to the special aspects of privatization and status of the building, - says acting General Director of “Samara Region Development Corporation” OJSC Sergey Goryachev. – But now we can already claim that during the next two years the process will be finished., and Samara will get renovated monument of cultural heritage”.

The building is the object of cultural heritage of regional significance – a building of the architectural ensemble of late XIX – early XX centuries with total area of 1 thousand sq. m is located here.

The reason why the decision on privatization of the building and its transferring to the authorized capital of the Corporation was made is that at present it can’t be used by governmental authorities for exercising of their powers due to its technical condition.

We would like to remember that earlier the building belonged to the Ministry of Property Relations of the region. Particularly, the building was on the balance sheet of State Unitary Enterprise of the Samara region “Ekson”.

Socially responsible approach

According to the management of the Corporation, the most important thing in the whole process of building renovation is fulfillment of all legislative requirements in the field of conservation of cultural heritage objects (for example, prohibition of changing the architectural look of the building) as well as observation of the rights and interests of citizens of neighboring houses. “Besides that, the special meaning is given by a fact that the fa?ade of the building faces Kuibyshev square where it is planned to make fan-zones within the preparation for FIFA World Cup”, - notes Sergey Goryachev.

All this not only makes the development of design documentation for adapting the building for modern use more difficult but also places special responsibility on its authors. Now, works on preparation of design sketches of the planned building renovation is being carried out and these design sketches will be presented for consideration and approval to the Board of directors of “Samara Region Development Corporation” and personally to the head of the region Nikolay Merkushkin. Even at this stage the Corporation proves itself as a socially responsible business – derelict building is guarded, facing protective panels are located along the fa?ade, soon it is planned to make protection fences around basement in areaways of which children may fall out of negligence.

Variations on a theme

Sergey Goryachev insists that it is too early to tell now about the functions of the renovated building. “Much depends on details of the project which will have finally undergone the procedure of approval on all levels, - speculates top-manager of the Corporation. – Particularly, really important thing is actually available metric area. What concerns, so to say, the direction of the project, the, above office functions we admit commercial use of the building, especially seeing that originally it was built as a guest house”.

Main plans for building usage are connected with the location of Corporation office there, because in this case Corporation will be able to abandon the leased premises. Taking into consideration that a part of Corpotation’s work due to its status is connected with the reception of eminent guests and holding of the events of presentation character, this building may become a good ground for Corporation, providing that appropriate renovation and finishing are done.