First sports and fitness complex in cultural heritage site will open in Presnya

A sports and health club with a thermal complex will open on the territory of Republic quarter within the walls of a cultural heritage site. Historical interiors will be restored and adapted to modern use. This was announced by Chief Architect of Moscow, First Deputy Chairman of Moscow Committee for Architecture Sergey Kuznetsov.

“Supervised by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, a lot of work is underway in the capital to preserve cultural heritage sites. In addition, developers are taking on part of the load, and a project is being implemented on Presnensky Val, in which four cultural heritage sites will be restored at once. One of them will house a recreational complex with an area of 2.5 thousand sq.m. As part of the concept, the structural elements of the facility, the roof, historical brickwork, stained-glass windows, skylights will be restored. The created style of the halls will support the general historical orientation of the interior due to the preserved and restored elements of the past,” said Sergey Kuznetsov.  

In Republic quarter, which is currently under construction, Forma is restoring the former workshops of Moskovsko-Alexandrovskaya Railway, dating back to 1869. The Moscow bureau mayak is responsible for their functional content. “Each historical building is unique, and for each cultural heritage site in Republic we strive to find a new content that would reveal its beauty and value to the residents of the new quarter,” said mayak founder Pavel Korneichuk.

Encore Fitness, a network operator of fitness centers, was engaged as partners. “Wellness industry experts note the global trend of 2023 for spaces and experiences that can bring people together in real life. The value of online communication is noticeably declining. Interest in live meetings is growing, which has become an incentive for the development of new formats for recreation. A space in the ‘third place’ format is a place where you want to come and switch to a new wave of emotions in a comfortable environment. This decision is in tune with the general concept of Republic quarter, where our company creates new areas for life, meetings and communication in historical buildings,” said Dmitry Vlasov, Commercial Director of Forma.