Afimall City

The Afimall City shopping and entertainment center is one of the largest shopping venues in the capital. Opened in May 2011, the complex is located on the territory of the Moscow International Business Center and has become an integral part of the Moscow-City architectural ensemble. The center occupies an impressive area of 283,182 square meters and includes more than 400 shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities. Every day more than 65,000 visitors pass through the doors of the shopping and entertainment center, and on holidays this number rises to 110,000 people. Such high attendance makes Afimall City one of the most popular places for shopping and leisure in the Russian capital.

Architecture and location

Afimall City is located at: 2, Presnenskaya Embankment. The building of the shopping center is part of the so-called Central Core of Moscow-City, adjacent to the Novotel hotel and the Sensorium Hall cinema and concert venue. The architectural concept of the complex was developed by the Moscow State Unitary Enterprise “Mosproject-2” named after M.V. Posokhin. The building has 6 above-ground floors and reaches a height of 53 meters. One of the main architectural features is a grand glass dome with an area of 10,000 square meters, which offers a panoramic view of the skyscrapers of the business district. For a long time, a unique light and music fountain 32 meters high operated in the central atrium under the dome — the tallest indoor fountain in the world. In 2024, it was replaced by the futuristic installation “Tree of Life”, created from 64 holographic fans that form the effect of floating 3D content in the air.

How to get to the shopping center

The location of Afimall City provides excellent transport accessibility. You can reach the center in several ways:

• From metro station "Vystavochnaya" — direct access to the shopping galleries
• From metro station "Delovoy Tsentr" — there is also a passage into the center’s building
• From metro station "Mezhdunarodnaya" — a short walk between the skyscrapers
• By car via the Third Transport Ring, New Arbat, the Garden Ring or Kutuzovsky Prospekt

History of creation and development

Construction of the shopping center began in 2006 on plots 7 and 8B of the Moscow-City territory. Originally, according to the project of architect B.I. Thor, this site was intended for a large park, but the development concept was later changed. The developer of the project was AFI Development, owned by Israeli billionaire and diamond magnate Lev Leviev. Construction work lasted six years, and in May 2011 the complex was put into operation. Afimall City became AFI Development’s flagship project and the largest commercial property in the company’s portfolio. At the time of opening, the space of the center was divided into four themed zones, each designed in accordance with a particular season of the year.

Changes in ownership

In October 2022, important changes took place in the ownership structure of the shopping center. The Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia approved a deal for the acquisition of the management company. LLC “Sberezheniya Plyus”, which owns the building of the shopping center, bought out LLC “Belgate Constructions Limited”, which was responsible for managing the complex. The regulator concluded that this transaction would not have a negative impact on competition in the retail rental market.

Modernization and improvements

Since its opening, Afimall City has undergone significant improvements, transforming it from an ordinary shopping center into a multifunctional social and cultural venue:

1. A reconceptualization of the central atrium was carried out — shifting the facade line of the stores increased their size and improved the illumination of the premises
2. An interactive navigation system with elements of gamification and streaming video was introduced, making it possible to create 3D routes to desired locations
3. A personalized AFICLUB loyalty program was launched, where visitors accumulate points for purchases and exchange them for gifts
4. Regular thematic events were organized, targeting the successful and affluent audience of Moscow-City residents

In October 2022, it was announced that a new luxury goods department store with an area of 2.9 thousand square meters would open on the site of the former H&M store. Mikhail Molchanov, founder of the “Blind Chicken” chain, confirmed that the department store representing Gucci, Valentino and Balenciaga brands opened in June 2023.

What the shopping center offers visitors

Retail outlets and brands

More than 450 retail outlets operate in Afimall City, representing a wide range of international and Russian brands. The assortment covers various product categories:

• Clothing and accessories for adults
• Children’s collections of international brands
• Footwear and bags
• Cosmetics and perfumery
• Electronics and household appliances
• Goods for the home and interior

Most stores are aimed at modern, active and successful people, which corresponds to the concept of the shopping center and its target audience.

Restaurants and cafés

The gastronomic diversity of Afimall City is represented by numerous cafés and restaurants offering various world cuisines. Visitors can choose a place for any taste — from casual fast-food outlets to sophisticated fine dining restaurants.

Entertainment and leisure

The shopping center offers a variety of entertainment options for the whole family:

• Multiplex cinema with a modern multifunctional cinema system
• Children’s entertainment center on the fourth floor with engaging attractions and arcade machines
• Bowling for active recreation
• Ice rink for fans of winter sports
• Exhibition spaces for cultural events
• Regular fashion shows, concerts and children’s parties

Parking and infrastructure

Afimall City has a four-level underground parking garage designed for 2,700–2,750 parking spaces. The parking operates around the clock and is equipped with a modern security system. Parking fees range from 100 to 200 rubles per hour depending on the time of day. The first 15 minutes of parking are free, which is convenient for visitors coming for a short time. The well-thought-out infrastructure of the center includes comfortable recreation areas, modern elevators and escalators, and comfortable sanitary facilities, making a visit to the shopping center as comfortable as possible for visitors of any age.

Incidents

Over the years of operation, several incidents have occurred in the shopping center that have attracted media attention. On 16 September 2024, REN TV reported that an elevator had fallen in the unloading area, as a result of which three people were reportedly injured but were able to get out on their own. However, the owners of the shopping center and AFI Development denied this information, stating that the complex’s technical service had not recorded any malfunctions. On 23 April 2025, a fire broke out in Afimall. Initially, the Moscow office of the Ministry of Emergency Situations reported a car fire in the parking lot, preceded by an explosion. Later this information was refuted — construction materials were burning on a site along the administrative building of the shopping center. The fire was quickly contained; no casualties were reported.

Financial performance

According to Forbes, in 2021 AFI Development earned about 135 million dollars from renting out all its properties. In 2016 Lev Leviev reported that VTB Bank had claims against the company over loans, but the parties reached an agreement on debt restructuring. The successful operation of the shopping center and its high attendance confirm the effectiveness of the chosen development strategy, which places special emphasis on creating a cozy atmosphere and using visitor feedback to continuously improve service.

Afimall City today

Today Afimall City is not just a shopping center, but a full-fledged space for comfortable leisure, shopping and entertainment. The center has become an important part of the Moscow-City infrastructure and one of the symbols of the modern capital. Thanks to its convenient location, variety of shops and entertainment, well-designed infrastructure and regular cultural events, Afimall City remains one of the most visited shopping centers in Moscow. The complex continues to develop, adapting to the changing needs of its audience and modern trends in retail and entertainment.