Let me lead you through the streets of Moscow

by Anni Pelmeni

The hotel Moscow has been the part of Moscow since always. It used to be in the most central location – right across the Kremlin. The hotel Moscow was one of the first built by Soviet regime and it functioned throughout all Soviet times.

In the mid 1930s the hotel Moscow was built as a counterbalance to the old-fashioned hotels of Tsar times – National and Metropol. The hotel Moscow was placed right in between the two other hotels and in the prima position across the Kremlin. In order to provide the space for the new ‘Soviet’ hotel, it was decided to eradicate old trade center, churches and pubs that used to be on that location. This was the beginning of the Stalin’s grand plan of Moscow’s reconstruction. The new modern Moscow was supposed to replace the outmoded Moscow.

For the long time the hotel Moscow was indeed the most fancy and trendy place to live in with the central location and fascinating views. But in the beginning of the 21 st century the history has been repeating itself. The example of Soviet luxury no longer satisfies the needs and standards of neuveau rich and the new modern facilities are supposed to replaced outmoded Moscow. In 2003 the hotel was closed down for renovations and de-constructed. The new hotel is scheduled to be opened in 2008, but what it will be it is still unclear.

Stumbe it!