Kremlin Presidium
Kremlin Presidium | |
---|---|
Административный корпус Кремля №14 | |
Alternative names | Building 14 |
General information | |
Architectural style | Neoclassical |
Coordinates | 55°45′8.05″N 37°37′12.61″E / 55.7522361°N 37.6201694°E |
Current tenants | Demolished |
Construction started | 1932 |
Completed | 1934 |
Demolished | 2016 |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | Ivan Rerberg |
The Kremlin Presidium (The Administrative Building of the Kremlin,
Building
The Kremlin Presidium was located in the northern part of the Kremlin, adjacent to the
History
The Presidium was on the site of the former
The new edifice was completed in 1934, two years after Rerberg's death. Initially it was not named, and it hosted the Red Commanders School, which was a military academy for Red Army leaders. The School was relocated in 1935, and from 1938 the building housed the offices of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, whose head was the de jure head of state of the Soviet Union.
From 1958-61, part of the building was converted into the 1,200-seat Kremlin Theatre (Кремлёвский театр). However, it proved to be an awkward venue, and its functions were transferred to the newly built State Kremlin Palace.
Demolition
In 2001 the Presidium was slated for repair. After the relocation of the Presidential Administration to the
In 2014 President Vladimir Putin proposed the restoration of the former Chudov Monastery, Ascension Convent, and Lesser Nicholas Palace. This proposal, if approved, would radically change the plan of the Kremlin and restore the historical vista of Ivanovskaya Square. At the same time experts doubt the possibility of such an authentic reconstruction.
Meanwhile a plan to build a new park on the site was announced. In April 2016 the Presidium was demolished. A little earlier the closed public entrance through Spasskaya Tower was opened to allow direct passage between Red Square and Alexander Garden; it was previously closed to the public after the Bolshevik Government relocated there in 1918.
References
- Klein, Mina. The Kremlin: Citadel of History. MacMillan Publishing Company (1973). ISBN 0-02-750830-7
- Tropkin, Alexander. The Moscow Kremlin: History of Russia's Unique Monument. Publishing House "Russkaya Zhizn" (1980). ASIN: B0010XM7BQ