Today we are going to visit a more recently built area. We'll take a look at
the Stachek Square (next to Narvskaya subway station), the Kirovskaya Square
and a short stretch of the Stachek Prospect, which connects the two squares.
Such a pattern with two joined squares was introduced by architect L.A.Ilyin
in 1924.
Let's start with the Stachek Square. Even though the Narvskaya Triumphal
Arc occupies its center, we weren't able to take any pictures because of
the scaffolds. At one side of the square there is the Gorky Entertainment
Complex (prior to the revolution there was a wooden school in its place).
This was the first entertainment complex in the country. It was built by
A.I.Gegello and D.L.Krichevsky in 1926-1927.
The seating plan of its theater was significantly different from those of
the older theaters, which had seats for the rich (with better sound and view
of the stage) and separate seats for the common folk. In this complex the
rows were arranged to provide equal conditions to all visitors, in the
style of an amphitheater.
The theater's occupancy was 2000 people. The complex also had a movie
theater, lecture hall, library, foyer, sports center, rooms where special
interest groups could meet, and more.
A.I.Gegello, the architect of the building, received the grand prize at the
World Fair of 1937 in Paris.
Facing the Gorky Complex on the other side of the square is
the Kirovsky Mall (it was originally called the Narvsky Mall).
The photo below shows a plaque mounted on one of the exterior walls for
whatever reason. I don't know the story behind its origin.
The building itself was constructed as a food processing plant from
1928-1931. Apparently, it was the first establishment of the sort in the
nation. Its architects are A.Barutchev, I.Gilter, I.Meerzon and J.Rubanchik.
In 1955 the "Narvskaya" subway station was built next to the Gorky
Complex by architects A.Vasilyev, S.Speransky and D.Goldgor. Goldgor
was evidently in charge.
"Narvskaya" was one of the first subway stations in St. Petersburg.
It's a miracle that this giant mural can still be seen on a wall next to the
Gorky Complex. It was completed in 1967 for the 50th anniversary of the
October Revolution.
If we follow the Stachek Prospect a little further, we'll find Traktornaya
(Tractor) Street branching out on our left.
Here 16 residential buildings for workers were constructed from designs
of architects A.Gegello and A.Nikolsky in place of a large empty lot. The style of the buildings is the
same as that of the Gorky Complex and the Kirovsky Mall - constructivism.
Typical of this area is that there are no "well-style" buildings. Each one
is located at a reasonable distance from the other, and that allows for
some recreation areas. Arches connect those areas to the street.
Unfortunately, these buildings haven't been repaired in a very long time.
I purposefully don't show them in my photos. Instead, I would like to offer
this photograph of what the area looked like originally.
These apartment buildings are the first residential complex to be built
after the revolution. The name "Traktornaya" has to do with the Kirov Plant
located nearby. This is where the first tractor in the country was built.
Let's take a look back at the Stachek Square before moving on to the
next square...
As you have probably already noticed, different photos appear on the front
page. Some make it into the albums and some don't. A new link there will
take you straight to an archive with all the previous photos..
