A St. Petersburg landmark, the Kresty prison, has been acquired by the KVS group, a major development company, according to a report in The Art Newspaper. The company plans to restore the historic site, which has been recognized as a cultural heritage and turn it into a museum, hotel complex, restaurants, galleries and public areas accessible to all.
The Kresty prison, built in the late 19th century, has a rich history, having housed notable figures, including revolutionaries, writers and scientists. It was once considered one of the most secure prisons in Russia, with a unique design that allowed for easy surveillance of the inmates.
The prison’s story is intertwined with the history of Russia and its former inmates include prominent figures such as Leo Trotsky, Anatoly Lunacharsky and Vladimir Nabokov’s father, as well as writers Ossip Mandelstam and Joseph Brodsky.
The KVS group’s plans for the site, which has been empty since 2017, aim to preserve the memory and history of the place, while also transforming it into a vibrant cultural center. The project is expected to be one of the most ambitious urban development projects in St. Petersburg.