Excavation of the foundation pit for the new National Centre RUSSIA building nearing completion
The construction and installation work for the new National Centre RUSSIA building on Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment in Moscow is at the stage of active foundation construction. Funding for the construction has already been included in Moscow's draft budget for 2027, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced on 26 October. He emphasised that the project is going to become an architectural event of global significance and will be not only a unique landmark of the capital, but also a symbol of modern Russia.
The National Centre RUSSIA was established by order of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin as a space to showcase the achievements of the country and its citizens, strengthen national identity, foster pride in the country, and develop the professional skills of children and young people. On 26 March 2026, the President launched construction of the new National Centre building in Moscow. The venue is scheduled to open in 2029. The concept was developed by the National Centre RUSSIA in collaboration with the Moscow Urban Development Complex.
"The silhouette of the new building resembles a flowing veil, while its pattern incorporates 89 symbols and ornaments representing the regions of our country. We developed a catalogue of these motifs in collaboration with experts and the academic community. The venue will become a symbol of the unity of Russia's multinational people, where the past intertwines harmoniously with the future. This unique architectural design, with no equivalent anywhere in the world, will provide a space for open dialogue, the exchange of ideas and the preservation of cultural legacy," said Natalia Virtuozova, Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA.
The excavation pit for the National Centre RUSSIA is now more than 90% complete, according to Vladimir Yefimov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development and Construction. More than 600 specialists and 127 pieces of machinery are currently working on the site.
"More than 650,000 cubic metres of soil have already been excavated — around 97% of the total volume. The work is being carried out in challenging conditions: within the zone affected by groundwater and in close proximity to operational metro tunnels. A range of special measures is being implemented to ensure safety, including the construction of a diaphragm wall, anchor reinforcement and a groundwater-lowering system. In addition, the pipe retaining enclosure has been fully installed and the guide wall has been concreted," said Vladimir Yefimov.
He added that, to optimise the project timeline, construction has been proceeding simultaneously across different sections of the site, with excavation and concreting of the foundation slab taking place at the same time. Around 4,500 cubic metres of concrete were poured at the site in August and 19,000 cubic metres in September. A total of around 150,000 cubic metres of concrete will be required for the building's foundation.
Work is also continuing on the installation of the excavation pit's bracing system, reinforcement of the foundation slab, preparation of the blinding concrete base, and installation of waterproofing and the protective screed. Particular attention is being paid to monitoring ground conditions, with all work carried out under the constant supervision of specialists.
Vladimir Yefimov also clarified that construction was being carried out in two phases. The first comprises a multifunctional complex with a floor area of more than 205,000 square metres, while the second involves a 4-hectare landscaped park.
The building will house a transformable congress and concert hall with 3,500 seats, a congress centre, The Department Store RUSSIA, restaurants, cafes and Gastronomic Rows. A key feature of the design will be its multimedia facade and roof, with imagery and lighting adapted to the events taking place. The new National Centre RUSSIA venue is scheduled to open in 2029, with the landscaped park due to open in 2030.
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The International Press Centre will operate around the clock from 26 to 30 October inclusive.
From 26 to 30 October, the National Centre RUSSIA will suspend its regular operations. It will be closed to visitors, and scheduled events will not be held during this period.
