Lakhta Centre

{{Infobox building

| name = Lakhta Centre

| native_name = Лахта-центр

| native_name_lang = ru

| former_names =

| alternate_names =

| status = {{Color|green|Completed}}

| image = Lakhta Center (img4).jpg

| image_alt =

| image_size = 300px

| caption = The Lakhta Center in 2025

| location = Lakhta, Saint Petersburg

| address = Lakhtinskij Prospect 2

| location_town =

| location_country = Russia

| groundbreaking_date =

| start_date = {{start date and age|2012}}

| completion_date = {{start date and age|2019}}

| opened_date =

| inauguration_date =

| demolition_date =

| destruction_date =

| architect =

| landlord =

| owner = Gazprom

| cost = US$1.77 billion{{Cite web|url=https://realty.rbc.ru/news/5bed46bd9a794728d6707196|title = "Газпром" раскрыл стоимость строительства самого высокого здания Европы| date=15 November 2018 }}

| floor_area = {{convert|163,000|m2|ft2|abbr=on}}{{Cite web|title=Lakhta Center|url=https://www.permasteelisagroup.com/project-detail?project=930|access-date=12 August 2021|website=www.permasteelisagroup.com}}

| top_floor =

| floor_count = {{ubl

|87 above ground

|3 below ground{{cite web |title=Lakhta Center |url=https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/lakhta-center/12575 |website=skyscrapercenter.com |publisher=CTBUH}}

}}

| awards =

| parking =

| embedded =

| references =

| highest_region = Russia and Europe

| highest_reflabel =

| highest_prev = Federation Tower

| highest_start = 2017

| highest_end =

| highest_next =

| map_type =

| map_alt =

| map_caption =

| altitude =

| building_type = Office

| architectural_style = Neo-futurism

| structural_system =

| current_tenants =

| renovation_date =

| height =

| architectural = {{convert|462|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| tip =

| antenna_spire =

| roof =

| observatory = {{convert|357|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| other_dimensions =

| architecture_firm = RMJM (until 2011), GORPROJECT[https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/article/europes-tallest-skyscraper-lakhta-centre Europe's tallest skyscraper is nearing completion in St. Petersburg]

| main_contractor = Rönesans Holding

| structural_engineer = Gorproject, Inforceproject

| designations =

}}

The Lakhta Centre ({{langx|ru|Ла́хта-це́нтр|Lahta tsentr}}) is an 87-story skyscraper[https://www.augustman.com/in/travel/tallest-buildings-in-the-world/ Burj Khalifa To Taipei 101: These Are The Tallest Skyscrapers In The World] built in the northwestern neighbourhood of Lakhta in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Standing {{convert|462|m|ft}} tall, it is the tallest building in both Russia and Europe, and the sixteenth-tallest building in the world.https://lakhta.center/en

Lakhta Center It is also the second-tallest structure in Russia and Europe, behind the Ostankino Tower in Moscow, in addition to being the second-tallest twisted building and the northernmost skyscraper in the world.

Construction of the Lakhta Centre started on 30 October 2012, with the building topping out on 29 January 2018.[http://lakhta.center/en/article/?id=1295 The installation of the spire of the Lakhta Center], Press release of 29 January 2018. It surpassed the Vostok Tower of the Federation Towers in Moscow as the tallest building in Russia and Europe on 5 October 2017. The centre is designed for large-scale mixed-use development, consisting of public facilities and offices. First designed by British architectural firm RMJM, the project was then continued by Gorproject (2011–2017) under the main contractor, Turkish company Rönesans Holding.

On 24 December 2018, the Lakhta Centre was certified according to the criteria of ecological efficiency at LEED Platinum.{{cite web |title=Lakhta Center-Tower |url=https://www.usgbc.org/projects/lakhta-center-tower-0 |website=usgbc.org |access-date=3 May 2020}}{{cite web |title=LEED Certification |url=https://lakhta.center/en/article/?id=1328 |website=Lakhta.center |access-date=3 May 2020 |date=24 December 2018}} In August 2021, Gazprom, formerly headquartered in Moscow, completed its re-registration process in Saint Petersburg. The new address of the company is at the Lakhta Center Multifunctional Complex.{{Cite web|title=Gazprom registered in St. Petersburg|url=https://www.gazprom.com/press/news/2021/august/article534630/|access-date=21 October 2021|website=www.gazprom.com|language=en}}

History

=Planning=

The predecessor of the tower, the Okhta Center, was originally planned to be more centrally located in the city center of St. Petersburg. As the historical center has been a World Heritage Site since 1990, the World Heritage Committee opposed the construction of the 400-metre tower as it would affect the cityscape of historic Saint Petersburg.{{Cite web|last=|first=|title=UNESCO welcomes backing by President of Russian Federation for the preservation of St Petersburg|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/612/|access-date=21 August 2021|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en}} In December 2006 UNESCO World Heritage Centre Director Francesco Bandarin reminded Russia about its obligations to preserve it and expressed concern over the project. In 2007, the World Monuments Fund placed the historic skyline of St. Petersburg on its 2008 Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites due to the potential construction of the building.{{Cite news |title=Russian tower plans cause alarm |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8272401.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=23 September 2009 |access-date=12 October 2009}} Due to this sizeable backlash on the original proposition, the Okhta Center, which had been planned by Gazprom to be in front of Smolny Cathedral, was moved to Lakhta.{{Cite web|last=|first=|title=36th session of the World Heritage Committee|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/sessions/36COM|access-date=21 August 2021|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en}} Plans for a new metro station in the area were announced in March 2012, the station was originally included in the 1980 city development plan of Leningrad, but had not been built.{{Cite web|date=16 March 2012|title=Выход из станции метро "Лахта" будет расположен у старого поста ГИБДД|url=https://www.fontanka.ru/2012/03/16/074/|access-date=21 August 2021|website=www.fontanka.ru|language=ru}}

The permit for construction of the first stage of Lakhta Center, which included the skyscraper and stylobate, was obtained on 17 August 2012.{{in lang|ru}}[http://www.fontanka.ru/2012/08/20/114/ "Лахта-центру" выдано разрешение на строительство]

File:Lakhta Center at night in December.jpg

= Construction =

Project management is being done by AECOM.{{cite web|url=http://www.proektvlahte.ru/en/status/contractors/|title=Key Contractors|access-date=23 December 2015}} German company Josef Gartner was in charge of the glazing of the skyscraper.[https://www.dp.ru/a/2015/09/16/Nemeckaja_Gartner_otkroet/ Немецкая Gartner откроет в Петербурге производство для остекления "Лахта центра"]

Zero cycle works started on 30 October 2012. The main contractor for the construction of Lakhta Center, Rönesans Holding, was selected on 22 April 2014.{{Cite web|title=Potential General Contractor Selected|url=http://lakhta.center/en/news/?id=237|access-date=19 August 2021|website=lakhta.center}}

== Construction schedule ==

March 2013 – zero cycle works are in progress. Piles are being installed. According to the schedule of construction a diaphragm wall is to be completed by the end of April while piling works will continue until 15 August 2013.{{in lang|ru}}[http://www.interfax-russia.ru/NorthWest/exclusives.asp?id=390991 Исполнительный директор ОДЦ "Охта" А.Бобков: "В „Лахта-центре“ деловая функция будет дополняться культурно-развивающей"]
April 2014 – construction of the skyscraper's foundation pit is complete.{{Cite web|title=Готов котлован для строительства небоскреба "Лахта-центра" — Новости строительства Санкт-Петербурга — Канонер|url=http://kanoner.com/2014/04/02/137579/|access-date=23 August 2021|website=kanoner.com}}
June 2014 – piling is completed. 264 piles were mounted for the tower of Lakhta Center, 848 piles were mounted for the mixed-use building and entrance arch and 968 piles were mounted for the stylobate (underground parking). All in all 2080 piles were dug in.
February and March 2015 – the pouring of the bottom slab of the skyscraper's box shaped foundation is over. 19,624 cubic metres of concrete were cast in the foundation.{{in lang|ru}}[http://www.fontanka.ru/2015/03/02/169/ Alexey Miller: First floors of the skyscraper in Lakhta will appear this year]
September 2015 – all works below zero elevation are finished. The construction of the first floors of the tower core is underway.
April 2017 – height exceeds {{convert|300|m}}, making Lakhta Center a supertall building (international classification).
May 2017 – the skyscraper reached a height of {{convert|327|m}}, making it the tallest structure in St. Petersburg.{{Cite web|date=13 May 2017|title=Лахта Центр перерос телебашню (фото)|url=https://www.fontanka.ru/2017/05/13/034/|access-date=27 August 2021|website=www.fontanka.ru|language=ru}}
5 October 2017 – Lakhta center became the tallest building in Europe as it reached a height of {{convert|374|m}}.{{Cite web|last=Harris|first=Chris|date=6 October 2017|title=Russian skyscraper 'becomes Europe's tallest building'|url=https://www.euronews.com/2017/10/06/russian-skyscraper-becomes-europe-s-tallest-building|access-date=27 August 2021|website=euronews|language=en}}
29 January 2018 – the height of the tower is {{convert|462|m}} and the assembly of the spire structure is complete.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y-0SYU5sJU Lakhta Center reached the design height]

Other buildings

In addition to the tower, the complex contains multiple other buildings. The multi-functional building (MFZ) consists of two buildings, North and South, which are united by a common foundation, stylobate and roof. The building resembles a boomerang. It has a variable number of storeys with a height difference from 7 to 17 floors, with the peak height being a little more than 80 meters. The structure is approximately 300 meters long.{{Cite web|title=Горизонталь против вертикали. Или за? Для чего Лахта Центру "лежачая" доминанта|url=https://habr.com/ru/company/lakhtacenter/blog/371535/|access-date=21 August 2021|website=habr.com|date=8 June 2018 |language=ru}} The complex also has a third building,{{Cite web|date=28 March 2019|title=С новым зданием площадь Лахта Центра превзойдет полмиллиона квадратных метров. Как идет стройка (фото)|url=https://www.fontanka.ru/2019/03/28/111/|access-date=21 August 2021|website=www.fontanka.ru|language=ru}} which consists of two separate wings connected by a courtyard.{{Cite web|title=«Комплекс зданий и сооружений». Его построят у «Лахта-центра» в 2021 году|url=https://www.the-village.ru/city/news/345989-kzs-lahta|access-date=21 August 2021|website=The Village|language=ru}}{{Cite web|date=10 April 2018|title=Комплекс зданий вокруг "Лахта центра" построит Renaissance Construction - Северо-Запад {{!}}{{!}} Интерфакс Россия|url=https://www.interfax-russia.ru/northwest/news/kompleks-zdaniy-vokrug-lahta-centra-postroit-renaissance-construction|access-date=21 August 2021|website=www.interfax-russia.ru|language=ru}} The MFZ contains a planetarium, which has a holding capacity of 140 people.{{Cite web|url=http://lakhta.center/en/about/objects/planetarium/|title=Planetarium {{!}} Lakhta Center|website=lakhta.center|access-date=12 April 2020}}

Design

File:Lakhta Center seen from the shore of the Neva Bay in Olgino.jpg

File:Lakhta Center Jun 24.jpg|284x284px]]

= Facilities =

The Lakhta Center contains offices, a co-working center, a sports center, a children's science center, and a conference center. The project includes {{convert|1500|m2}} of indoor exhibition space. Part of the open area will be used to demonstrate art, installations and sculptures.

There is a free public observation deck at the top of the skyscraper at a height of {{convert|357|m}}.{{Cite news|url=http://www.fontanka.ru/2014/08/19/122/|script-title=ru:Смотровую площадку Лахта-центра оборудуют цифровыми интерактивными телескопами|date=19 August 2014|access-date=30 July 2018|language=ru}}

= Environmental technologies =

The design of the tower contains several green and energy-saving technologies, which earned it a LEED Platinum certificate. Excess heat generated by technical equipment is used to heat the premises. The skyscraper also uses equipment with reduced noise levels along with noise suppressors, sound-proof curtain walls and floating floors.

Due to the peculiarities of the highly humid and windy climate in the North Western region of Russia, the possibility of icing up of buildings is relatively high. In order to prevent complete icing up of the tower's spire, engineers changed glassing to metal gauze. Glass at high floors will be heated to prevent ice accumulation, ensuring good visibility.{{Cite web |date=26 September 2014 |title=Специальные ледовые генераторы позволят "Лахта центру" экономить до 13 тыс. руб. в сутки на электроэнергии - главный инженер - Северо-Запад {{!}}{{!}} Интерфакс Россия |url=https://www.interfax-russia.ru/northwest/news/specialnye-ledovye-generatory-pozvolyat-lahta-centru-ekonomit-do-13-tys-rub-v-sutki-na-elektroenergii-glavnyy-inzhener |access-date=3 April 2022 |website=www.interfax-russia.ru |language=ru}}

In order to provide Lakhta Center and adjoining areas with electricity without imposing any extra burden on existing infrastructure, a new standalone power substation will be constructed.{{in lang|ru}}[http://asninfo.ru/news/v-lahte-postroyat-podstanciyu-nevskaya-guba "Nevskaya guba" power substation will be built in Lakhta]

=Transportation development=

Two traffic circles are to be built near Lakhta Center, which will become part of the М32А highway in the future.{{Cite web|title=Два разворотных кольца появятся в Приморском районе|url=https://spbdnevnik.ru/news/2014-07-10/dva-razvorotnykh-koltsa-poyavyatsya-v-primorskom-rayone|access-date=21 August 2021|website=spbdnevnik.ru|language=ru}}

A light rail service from Finland Railway Station and a new tram line from Primorskaya underground station will be built to serve Lakhta Center. Plans are ongoing to build a new underground station with the working title of "Lakhta". Bicycle lanes near Lakhta Center with 90 parking places for bicycles are also planned.{{Cite web|date=15 July 2014|title=В проекте развязки трассы М-32 и Приморского шоссе предусмотрели велодорожку|url=https://www.fontanka.ru/2014/07/15/138/|access-date=21 August 2021|website=www.fontanka.ru|language=ru}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.lahta-olgino.ru/lahta-center/obshchestvennye-slushaniya-.php |title=Общественные слушания |access-date=18 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413143303/http://lahta-olgino.ru/lahta-center/obshchestvennye-slushaniya-.php |archive-date=13 April 2015 |url-status=dead }}

Reception

Lakhta Center received the Emporis Skyscraper Awards' "Skyscraper of the Year"-award in 2020.{{Cite web |title=Sustainability Plays a Key Role in Emporis Skyscraper Award's Winning Buildings |url=https://www.buildings.com/articles/42756/sustainability-plays-key-role-emporis-skyscraper-awards-winning-buildings |access-date=27 February 2022 |website=Buildings |date=17 February 2021 |language=en}} On 20 May 2021, the skyscraper won the facade engineering category award at the CTBUH Awards. The building also received 2 other Awards of Excellence that year: the structural engineering and geotechnical engineering awards. In October 2021, IFC Lakhta Center won the Grand Prix of Russia's largest engineering and architectural award 100 + Awards.

Future developments

File:Lakhta-2 sravnenie.png

= Lakhta Centre II =

In May 2021 plans were announced for a second building to be built next to Lakhta Centre called Lakhta Centre II.{{Cite web |date=2021-05-26 |title=Kettle Collective plans to build world's second tallest tower in Russia |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2021/05/26/kettle-collective-lakhta-centre-ii/ |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Dezeen |language=en}} If built, Lakhta Centre II would rise {{convert|703|m}} and be 150 floors. It would also be the second tallest building in the world along with the tallest twisted building and the first megatall building outside Asia. As of 2023, a small yacht club has been demolished on the site of Lakhta Centre II and construction was rumoured to begin in 2024.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}

= Lakhta Centre III =

In December 2021 further plans were revealed for Lakhta Centre III. As planned, Lakhta Centre III would rise {{convert|555|m}}.{{Cite web |last=Afanasiev (58b00667a5209) |first=Vladimir |date=2022-01-07 |title=Gazprom announces Angel Number skyscraper |url=https://www.upstreamonline.com/people/gazprom-announces-angel-number-skyscraper/2-1-1138061 |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Upstream Online {{!}} Latest oil and gas news |language=en}} No major news for Lakhta Centre III has been released since its initial announcement. If built, Lakhta Centre III would be the second tallest building in Europe behind Lakhta Centre II, assuming Lakhta Centre II is completed before the third tower.