Kudrovo, a small city just outside St Petersburg, has become famous for one of the most impressive housing projects in Russia – the giant apartment complex ‘Novy Okkervil’. This massive development, which was built in 2015, is referred to by locals as ‘cheloweinik’ – a term used in Russia to describe huge, often overwhelming apartment blocks. More than 20,000 people live in the complex, making it almost a self-contained small city.
The complex consists of 3708 flats spread over 25 floors, making it one of the largest residential buildings in the Leningrad region. It has 35 entrances and can accommodate thousands of people. Tenants mostly occupy two-bedroom flats, with four to six flats on each floor. For the convenience of residents, each cage of the building is equipped with four high-speed lifts. One of the key advantages of the complex is its convenient location. Kudrovo is located in close proximity to St Petersburg, which enables quick access to the city centre. The nearest metro station is about a 25-minute walk away, and it takes about 26 minutes to reach the central Sennaya Square. As a result, residents can enjoy the delights of big city life while enjoying a slightly quieter suburban atmosphere.
The “New Okkervil” complex offers its residents everything they need for everyday life. The ground floor of the building is dedicated to services, giving residents easy access to grocery shops, hairdressing salons, cafés and even private kindergartens and gyms. Local shops and services are so plentiful that some residents spend months at a time without leaving the building. Residents also appreciate access to extensive recreational facilities. There are parks and forests nearby that offer opportunities for recreation in nature. In the words of one resident, “the nearest forest and parks help a lot” in everyday life, especially when the atmosphere in the giant complex becomes overwhelming.
Despite the enormous size of the complex, residents are finding ways to forge neighbourly ties. Many actively participate in community life, meeting up for walks together, using the public balconies that act as meeting places, or engaging in online groups where they exchange information and advice. While living in such a large complex has many advantages, it is of course not without disadvantages. One of the biggest problems faced by residents is parking. Finding a place to park can be a difficult task, especially in the evenings. Although paid car parks are available, many residents prefer to park for free, leading to traffic jams and problems with space availability.
Another challenge is access to sunlight. Although the building has been designed with sunshine regulations in mind, many residents complain of a shortage. The ubiquitous queues are also a big problem, because although the ‘New Okkervil’ offers a wide range of services, access to them is difficult and limited due to the huge demand. The cost of living in ‘New Okkervil’ varies, but housing is relatively affordable. Rental prices start at 19,000 roubles (approximately PLN 850) per month for a one-bedroom flat. However, the cost of utilities can vary considerably depending on the season – in summer they are around 1,400 roubles (around £60) and in winter they can rise to 5,500 roubles (around £250). Buying a new flat in a complex is already a bigger expense. The price for a two-bedroom flat is around 7.5 million roubles (around PLN 340,000). However, it is worth noting that the prices of flats in the complex have increased since its completion, indicating the growing popularity of this type of investment.
The gigantic ‘Novy Okkervil’ apartment complex in Kudrov is an example of a typical approach to residential construction in Russia. Although living in such a large building poses some challenges, many residents value the convenience it offers – access to a wide range of services, a convenient location and the opportunity to forge social relationships. For those looking for an affordable and well-appointed place to live, ‘New Okkervil’ may be the ideal choice.
Source: themindcircle.com, estav.cz
Also read: Architecture | Estate | Urbanism | City | Block | Russia
