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St. Petersburg, Russia’s cultural center for more than 200 years, is located on the delta of the Neva River in northwestern Russia. The majestic and impressive city center has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the whole city radiates a unique ambiance which is somewhat reminiscent of Venice. St. Petersburg’s haunting magnificence is achieved through hundreds of architectural details: decorative monuments, sculptures, vast gardens and beautiful boulevards lie alongside the Neva River with its beautiful canals and its granite embankments and over 300 bridges.

Daniel Libeskind’s conceptual design for the main building of Gazprom City.

But now, Vladimir Putin’s plan to further increase the city’s prestige brings Gazprom City to St. Petersburg. The planned 300m high Gazprom tower and the headquarters are to be located directly across the river from the 18th century Smolny cathedral, an idea that brought a lot of opposition with it. Local critics are worried what the glass and steel building will do to the cityscape and some believe, St. Petersburg will lose its soul. Since the Russian Union of Architects is boycotting the contest for the project, there are only six international designs, which are now being considered. Gazprom hopes to finish the building in 2017.