Construction of a new building for the Great Moscow Circus has started on an overgrown wasteland in the Mnevniki Floodplain in north-western Moscow. The project site is situated directly between the Mnevniki and Terekhovo stations on the Big Circle Line of the capital's metro system.
According to a report by local news outlet MSK1.RU, work at the location is now under way. Construction crews have partially cleared the plot of trees, excavated the ground, and erected a security fence around the perimeter to secure the development site.
A large temporary worker compound has been established on the property, featuring dozens of metal container cabins built two to three storeys high to house site personnel. Beside walking paths across the area, bags containing thermal insulation material have been placed and covered with blue tarpaulins to protect them from rain.
Project budget and facility dimensions
The overall construction of the new circus complex is budgeted at 38.6 billion rubles. The development occupies a land plot covering an area of 68.8 thousand square metres within the Mnevniki district.
The new circus venue itself will span a total floor area of 62 thousand square metres when complete. That total space includes both the main above-ground complex and its multi-level underground facilities.
The Great Moscow Circus is one of Russia's premier cultural institutions, famous for staging large theatrical circus shows and acrobatic performances. Established during the Soviet era on Vernadsky Prospect, it ranks among the largest permanent circus auditoriums in the world.
Its new site in the Mnevniki Floodplain forms part of a major urban development project in north-western Moscow. Situated in a bend of the Moskva River, the former open area is being transformed into a modern recreational and cultural quarter, connected by the capital's orbital subway ring line.
The Mnevniki and Terekhovo metro stations, located on either side of the construction site, were opened as part of the western section of the Big Circle Line. The transport connection allows visitors from across Moscow to reach the new venue directly via the metro network.
Public vote on architectural design
The architectural appearance of the new building was chosen directly by city residents through a public vote. Moscow citizens participated in a citywide poll to decide the building's exterior design, with the final voting results summarized in March.
