Federation Tower

The Moscow International Business Center Moscow-City is famous for its impressive skyscrapers, but among them a special place is occupied by the grand Federation complex. This architectural ensemble of two towers soaring into the sky has become a true calling card of the Russian capital and a symbol of the country’s economic development.

Architectural concept and project features

History of the unique design

The project of the complex was born under unusual circumstances — architect Sergey Choban sketched the first draft during a flight from Vietnam to Moscow. The initial concept envisioned the construction of three skyscrapers resembling a ship with sails; however, in the course of implementation the central 400-meter element was abandoned, while the two majestic “sails” were preserved. An international team worked on bringing the concept to life: Russian architect Sergey Choban collaborated with German specialist Peter Schweger, known for his projects in Frankfurt, Berlin and other European cities.

Architectural appearance of the towers

The complex is a composition of two contrasting yet harmoniously complementary structures:

• East Tower — a grand 95-storey building 374 meters high with smooth, streamlined edges
• West Tower — a 62-storey structure 242 meters high with sharper, more expressive lines

Both skyscrapers are shaped as polyhedrons tapering toward the top, which creates an effect of upward striving. The buildings are united by a six-level atrium with a transparent roof located 37 meters above the first floor.

Innovative facade glazing

The facades of the complex are clad in special double-glazed units filled with argon, which reflect ultraviolet radiation and prevent the building from overheating. Between the floors there are decorative inserts made of enamelled glass with cloud patterns, creating a visual effect of floating in the sky. This glazing technology was developed specifically for Federation by German and Chinese engineers.

Technical perfection and structural solutions

Record-breaking foundation

The complex is based on a massive concrete slab for which 14 thousand cubic meters of concrete were used — twice the amount recommended by the architects. This figure was entered into the Guinness World Records as an achievement in the field of construction.

Strength and stability system

The reliability of the structure is ensured by a comprehensive system:

• A powerful concrete core with walls 1.4 meters thick at the base
• 25 perimeter columns measuring 2×1.4 meters running through the entire building
• Outrigger floors made of high-strength steel structures every 25–30 levels
• A metal frame resistant to extreme loads and explosions

Climate and engineering systems

The complex incorporates advanced building services technologies:

• Hydraulic systems for redistributing heat and cold between floors
• Air intake through air-conditioning units on high technical levels, which minimizes pollution by exhaust gases
• Duplication of all critical systems to ensure uninterrupted operation
• 67 high-speed elevators with double cabins, allowing passengers to travel from the first to the top floor in less than a minute

Location and transport accessibility

Advantages of the location in the business center

The complex is located at 12 Presnenskaya Embankment, in the very heart of the Moscow-City business district. The area boasts excellent transport infrastructure:

• Distance to the Third Ring Road — 1.2 km
• Distance to Shmitovsky Avenue — 1.2 km
• Distance to Kutuzovsky Avenue — 3 km
• Distance to the Garden Ring — 4.5 km
• Distance to Zvenigorodskoye Highway — 4.9 km

Public transport

Within walking distance are the metro stations Moscow-City and Delovoy Tsentr, bus stops, as well as piers on the Presnenskaya and Krasnopresnenskaya embankments for river boats.

Functional purpose and infrastructure

Mixed-use complex

The total floor area reaches 443 thousand square meters, including:

• Office premises of various layouts — 191 thousand sq. m
• Modern serviced apartments — 78 thousand sq. m
• Retail areas and restaurants in the podium part
• Conference halls for business events
• Hotel Novotel Moscow City

Infrastructure facilities

The “city within a city” concept is implemented through more than 600 facilities:

• Supermarkets and specialty stores
• Restaurants with cuisines from various countries of the world
• Food courts with fast-food outlets
• Bank branches and ATMs
• Beauty salons and spa centers
• Medical center and dental clinic
• Pharmacies and dry cleaners
• Accounting, notary and legal offices

Unique facilities of the complex

On the 61st floor of the West Tower there is the wellness club “Nebo” (“Sky”) with the highest swimming pool in Europe, as recorded in the Guinness World Records. One floor above is the panoramic restaurant Sixty with an interior in the style of the 1960s and breathtaking views of the capital.

Parking infrastructure

A well-developed parking system is provided for car owners:

• Above-ground parking lots
• Underground car parks with 874 spaces
• Total capacity — 6000 parking spaces
• Direct walkways to the Afimall shopping and entertainment center without entering the main road

Construction history

Stages of project implementation

The construction of the complex was carried out by ZPIF “Bashnya Federatsiya” (Federation Tower closed-end mutual investment fund):

1. 2003 — start of construction works
2. 2008 — completion of the first phase (West Tower)
3. 25 November 2014 — East Tower reached 351 meters, becoming the tallest building in Russia and Europe
4. 9 December 2014 — completion of the monolithic frame of the East Tower
5. End of 2015 — completion of engineering works and glazing
6. 15 November 2017 — full completion of construction

Quality control

Construction was carried out in compliance with the strictest international standards under the supervision of:

• Turner Construction Company
• Mosgosstroynadzor (Moscow State Construction Supervision Authority)
• Research Institute of Concrete and Reinforced Concrete
• Research Institute of Building Physics
• Melnikov Central Research and Design Institute of Steel Structures
• State Specialized Design Institute

Place in the ranking of high-rise buildings

After the completion of construction in 2017, the Federation complex, with an architectural height of 374 meters, was recognized by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat as the tallest skyscraper in Europe. In 2018 this title passed to the Lakhta Center in St. Petersburg (462 meters), however the East Tower retained its leadership in the number of floors — 95 versus 87 for its St. Petersburg competitor.

Modern significance of the complex

The Federation Tower has become a key element of the Moscow-City skyline and an embodiment of the architectural achievements of modern Russia. The complex demonstrates the highest level of engineering thought, combines advanced technologies with elegant design, and creates a comfortable environment for work, life and leisure. Thanks to its well-designed concept, outstanding technical characteristics and developed infrastructure, the Federation complex continues to be one of the most prestigious and recognizable business centers of the capital, attracting both Russian and international companies.