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IQ-quarter
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Key Information
The IQ-quarter (Russian: IQ-квартал, romanized: IQ-kvartal) is a mixed-use complex composed of two skyscrapers and a high-rise located on plot 11 in the Moscow International Business Center (MIBC) in Moscow, Russia with a total area of 201,430 m2 (2,168,174 ft2). The skyscrapers are named Towers 1 and 2, with the latter being the tallest, and the high-rise just known as the IQ-quarter hotel or Tower 3. Construction of the complex began in 2008 and finished in 2016.[1][2][3][4]
The 42-story Tower 2 is the tallest out of the three buildings in the complex, rising up to a height of 177.5 metres (582 ft). It is followed by the 33-story Tower 1, rising up to a height of 141 metres (463 ft). Both buildings serve as offices. The lowest building is the IQ-quarter hotel, or just Tower 3, standing at a height of 83.6 metres (274 ft) and serving as both a hotel and a residential area.[4]
History
[edit]The MIBC needed a transport terminal with commercial areas with a total area of 228,000 m2 (2,454,172 ft2). Dutch company Citer Invest BV decided to invest in plot 11 of the MIBC back in 2003. Using 1,137 hectares, the company planned to build two office towers (122,450 m2 (1,318,041 ft2)) and a 4 star hotel with 390 rooms. The transport terminal was to be connected to Sheremetyevo International Airport, Vnukovo International Airport, the Moscow Metro, and ground transportation through the Third Ring Road. Construction of the complex started in 2008 and was planned to be completed in 2011.[2][3][5]
In August 2008, the developer agreed with VTB Bank on project lending, but because of the Great Recession, the bank was unable to provide financing. As a result, construction was postponed in the first quarter of 2009. By this time, it was possible to erect only a wall in the ground and a pile foundation. Almost a year later, the company managed to raise $355 million with the help of Belgian financial institutions under the contracts issued by VTB. In November 2009, the developer expected that the complex would open in 2013.[5]
In April 2011, the Russian construction company Hals-Development bought 50% plus one share of the project investor.[6]
On 11 December 2014, the art piece Eye of Sauron was planned to be installed roof of the complex to go along with the Russian premiere of the film The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. This triggered an angry response by representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church.[7][8]
The complex finished construction in 2016. In November, it became known that Russian banking company Rosselkhozbank is negotiating the purchase of a 34-story tower with a leasable area of 44,300 m2 (476,841 ft2). The transaction value was estimated to be from 11.5 to 12 billion rubles.[1][2][3][6]
Government Complex
[edit]Beginning in 2019 the building started to house several Russian government ministries - Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media.
As of 2023 the 42-story building houses among others several ministries and federal agencies:[9]
Drone attacks
[edit]On 30 July 2023, the building was damaged by a drone attack which the Russian Defense Ministry claims was carried out by Ukraine.[10] Operations at Vnukovo Airport were briefly suspended and flights diverted.[11] It was struck again the next day, this time on the 21st floor, and lost 150 square metres (1,600 sq ft) of glazing in a large explosion and the resultant fire. Flights were again diverted or suspended.[12]
On 1 August 2023, the skyscraper was damaged for a second time by a drone attack which the Russian Defense Military claims was caused by them jamming the drone, causing it to crash into the building.[13][14]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b GmbH, Emporis. "iQ Quarter Hotel, Moscow | 359396 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
- ^ a b c GmbH, Emporis. "iQ Quarter Tower 1, Moscow | 359393 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
- ^ a b c GmbH, Emporis. "iQ Quarter Tower 2, Moscow | 359394 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
- ^ a b "IQ-Quarter Complex - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
- ^ a b "Поезд тронулся в "Москва-Сити"". РБК Недвижимость. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
- ^ a b "Россельхозбанк выбрал под офис башню в "Москва-Сити" за 12 млрд руб". РБК. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
- ^ "11 декабря над Москвой появится Око Саурона". THR Russia (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-06-22.
- ^ "РПЦ: "Око Саурона" может навлечь на Москву беду". Газета.Ru. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
- ^ "Правительственный комплекс". IQ-квартал.
- ^ "Russia says Ukrainian drone attack targets Moscow, hi-rise damaged". The Jerusalem Post. ISSN 0792-822X. Retrieved 2023-07-30.
- ^ "Zelensky after Moscow drone attack: War coming back to Russia". BBC News. 2023-07-30. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
- ^ Harding, Luke; Roth, Andrew; Livingstone, Helen (2023-08-01). "Drone hits Moscow tower housing ministries for second time, says mayor". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
- ^ "Ukraine war latest: More drones coming, Ukraine tells Russia after skyscraper hit". BBC News. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
- ^ "Russia accuses Ukraine of a drone attack on Moscow that hit a building already struck just days ago". ABC News. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
External links
[edit]- Official website (in Russian)
IQ-quarter
View on GrokipediaThe IQ-Quarter (Russian: IQ-квартал) is a mixed-use skyscraper complex comprising three towers located on Plot 11 of the Moscow International Business Center in Moscow, Russia.[1][2]
Constructed between 2012 and 2016, it includes a 21-storey residential tower, a 33-storey office tower, and a 42-storey tower serving office and hotel functions, with the tallest structure reaching 173 meters.[1]
The complex provides approximately 228,000 square meters of gross leasable area, encompassing 123,192 square meters of office space, 8,382 square meters of apartments, retail facilities, and a multifunctional transport terminal integrated with the metro system, including a Sofitel hotel and underground parking for over 700 vehicles.[1][2]
Housed within the IQ-Quarter are offices of Russian government ministries, such as economic development and digital development, making it a significant administrative hub.[3]
In August 2023, one of its towers was struck by Ukrainian drones amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, resulting in damage but no reported casualties.[4][3]
Overview
Location and Composition
The IQ-Quarter is situated in the western sector of the Moscow International Business Center (MIBC), commonly known as Moscow City, on plot 11 at Presnenskaya Naberezhnaya, 10, structure 2, within Moscow's Presnensky district.[5] [6] This positioning places it proximate to the Third Transport Ring, the Afimall City shopping and entertainment complex, and the central core of Moscow City, facilitating access via metro and future high-speed rail connections to airports.[5] [7] The complex's composition features three monolithic reinforced concrete towers of variable floor counts—22, 33, and 42 stories—interconnected by a shared stylobate base that supports integrated parking and retail elements.[7] [8] The towers reach heights of approximately 84 meters, 141 meters, and 178 meters, accommodating a mix of office spaces, hotel accommodations, and premium residential apartments.[9] [1] Complementing these are a multi-height terminal structure serving as the primary exit for the Mezhdunarodnaya metro station, along with a pedestrian bridge linking to the site's transport interchange hub.[5] The overall gross leasable area totals around 228,000 square meters.[2] The 42-story tower specifically houses a governmental complex for Russian federal entities, including the Ministries of Economic Development, Industry and Trade, and Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media, as well as agencies like the Federal Agency for Nationalities Affairs and Federal Accreditation Service, spanning 75,048 m² for roughly 5,500 personnel.[6]Primary Functions and Infrastructure
The IQ-Quarter complex primarily functions as a mixed-use development integrating Class A office spaces, residential apartments, retail facilities, and hospitality services within the Moscow International Business Center. Its office components, totaling approximately 118,300 square meters across two towers, accommodate governmental agencies, financial institutions, and commercial tenants, including three Russian ministries and an AURUS luxury vehicle showroom.[1][10] The residential tower provides 207 premium apartments ranging from 31 to 115 square meters, while retail and service areas feature a two-level atrium with shopping galleries, restaurants, a fitness club, and spa facilities. A hotel component, such as the integrated Sofitel, supports business and leisure visitors, contributing to the complex's total gross leasable area of 228,000 square meters.[1][11][12] A core infrastructure element is the multi-level transport terminal, designed as the primary hub for the Moscow-City district, facilitating seamless connectivity via an underground network linking the Mezhdunarodnaya metro station, public transport stops, and planned railway lines to Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo airports. This seven-floor underground zone integrates pedestrian bridges across three levels, enabling efficient passenger flow and reducing surface congestion.[1][10] The complex shares a common underground foundation supporting all three towers—a 21-story residential building (85 meters), a 33-story office tower (135 meters), and a 42-story office tower (169 meters)—with over 68,000 square meters dedicated to subterranean facilities.[1][11] Supporting infrastructure includes 716 dedicated parking spaces in a multi-story underground garage, 45 high-speed elevators (2-6 m/s) from ThyssenKrupp for vertical circulation, and advanced engineering systems such as noise insulation, air purification, and intelligent heating to maintain operational efficiency and occupant comfort.[1][10] The design emphasizes functional integration, with the terminal's layout prioritizing accessibility and capacity for high-traffic business operations, completed between 2012 and 2016 under CiTer Invest B.V. oversight.[1][11]Historical Development
Planning and Construction Phases
The IQ-Quarter complex on plot 11 of the Moscow International Business Center was planned as a multifunctional development incorporating office, residential, hotel, and transport infrastructure to serve as a central hub for the district, including underground connections to the metro and parking for approximately 3,000 vehicles.[11][1] The project developer, Gals-Development, invested $119 million, with design led by architects NBBJ and Gorproject, emphasizing an intelligent facade with natural stone finishing, panoramic glazing, and strict color schemes for aesthetic integration into the skyscraper cluster.[10][13] Construction planning aligned with the MIBC's phased expansion, prioritizing shared underground elements such as parking and transit links before vertical builds.[14] Site preparation and foundational work began in 2006, as recorded by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat for the primary towers, though some accounts date initial groundwork to 2010 amid broader MIBC delays from economic fluctuations.[15][16][10] The complex comprises three structures—a 21-story residential building, a 33-story office tower (141 meters), and a 42-story office tower (178 meters)—constructed sequentially with Ant Yapi as the main contractor handling the twin office towers and terminal integration.[1][11] Detailed engineering for structural systems, including pressurization for high-rise safety, occurred between 2012 and 2014.[17] The towers reached completion in 2015 for the shorter office building and 2016 for the taller one, enabling initial occupancy, while the transport terminal and second underground lobby for the Mezhdunarodnaya metro station were finalized in December 2017 to facilitate rail links to Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo airports.[15][16][18] Phased construction minimized disruptions in the dense urban site, incorporating 45 elevators across the buildings for efficient vertical circulation.[10] Delays from the 2008 financial crisis affected MIBC timelines, but IQ-Quarter adhered closely to projections, contributing to the district's operational maturity by late 2016.[14]Completion and Initial Operations
The second phase of the IQ-Quarter multifunctional complex, including two office towers of 42 and 34 floors, was officially commissioned on October 30, 2017, following issuance of the permit by the Moscow State Construction Supervision Committee.[19] This phase encompassed 128,290 square meters of total area, completing the core structural elements after earlier residential components had been finalized.[19] [20] Construction delays from the 2009 financial crisis had previously halted progress after foundational work, with resumption enabling final assembly by 2017.[21] Initial operations commenced post-commissioning with property management transferred to Colliers International, tasked with facility upkeep, tenant onboarding, and operational readiness for the office and commercial spaces.[22] Leasing activities targeted business occupants, offering unfinished office space at rates around $850 per square meter annually, amid efforts to achieve occupancy in the towers designed for corporate and hotel functions.[23] The integrated transport terminal began preparatory integration as Moscow City's primary interchange node, linking metro, rail, and road access, though full connectivity enhancements, such as the underground passage to the central district, followed in June 2019.[24] Early functionality emphasized the complex's role in alleviating congestion for the broader Moscow International Business Center, with the multi-level terminal facilitating passenger flows and supporting adjacent retail and parking infrastructure across six underground levels.[25] Tenant ingress proceeded gradually, prioritizing governmental and commercial entities aligned with the site's business-oriented mandate.[20]Architectural and Technical Details
Building Specifications
The IQ-Quarter complex features three towers sharing a common underground infrastructure on plot 11 of the Moscow International Business Center. The structures include a 21-storey residential tower approximately 87 meters tall, a 33-storey office tower reaching 135–141 meters, and a 42-storey office tower at 173–177.5 meters in architectural height.[15][16][13] The towers employ an all-concrete structural system, with primary vertical, lateral, and floor-spanning elements cast in place and incorporating steel reinforcements for enhanced stability.[15][16] Construction of the towers began in 2006 and concluded between 2015 and 2016, with each featuring six below-ground levels integrated into the complex's shared podium and parking facilities.[15][16] The total gross floor area spans 228,000 square meters, encompassing over 68,000 square meters of underground space that includes a seven-level parking garage accommodating 716 vehicles and a dedicated metro terminal.[1] Key specifications for the towers are summarized below:| Tower Type | Height (m) | Above-Ground Floors | Primary Function | Net Leasable Area (approx., m²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | 87 | 21–22 | Apartments | 8,382 |
| Office Tower 1 | 135–141 | 33–34 | Commercial Office | 44,800 |
| Office Tower 2 | 173–177.5 | 42 | Commercial Office | 73,500 |
Design Features and Engineering
The IQ-Quarter complex employs a cast-in-place concrete structural system for its primary vertical and lateral load-bearing elements, supplemented by steel bracing to enhance stability against wind loads in the high-rise towers.[15][16] Floor spanning systems combine concrete slabs with steel reinforcements, allowing for efficient large-span office layouts. The design accommodates the complex's mixed-use functions, with a shared underground foundation supporting the three towers: a 42-story office tower reaching 177.5 meters, a 33-story office tower at approximately 141 meters, and a 21-story residential tower of about 84 meters.[9][10] Facade engineering features double-chamber tinted SCHÜCO glass units, providing superior noise insulation and thermal performance suitable for the urban environment of Moscow International Business Center.[26] Panoramic glazing enhances natural light while incorporating noise-insulating technologies to mitigate external disturbances.[27] The buildings integrate advanced mechanical systems, including modern air purification and supply ventilation, central air conditioning, and autonomous heating, ensuring indoor environmental quality for occupants.[28] Sensitive fire detection systems and automated suppression measures are embedded throughout, compliant with high-rise safety standards.[29] Vertical transportation is handled by 45 ThyssenKrupp elevators operating at speeds from 2 to 6 meters per second, designed for silent and efficient service across the towers.[10] Ceiling heights start at 3.25 meters, with variations on select floors to support flexible office configurations and premium residential spaces. The central terminal building facilitates metro connectivity and includes a public winter garden at the concourse level, engineered for high foot traffic and integration with the towers' bases.[10][30] Overall, the engineering prioritizes durability, energy efficiency, and occupant comfort in a dense business district setting.[1]
Governmental and Commercial Tenancy
Key Government Occupants
The IQ-Quarter complex, particularly its 42-story administrative tower, functions as a dedicated government complex accommodating several key Russian federal ministries and subordinate agencies, primarily on floors 8 through 36.[31] This relocation of governmental functions to the Moscow International Business Center began in the early 2010s, with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev overseeing the transfer of at least three major ministries from central Moscow locations to consolidate operations in a modern, secure facility. The arrangement underscores the site's role in housing entities focused on economic policy, industrial oversight, and digital infrastructure, reflecting Russia's emphasis on centralized administrative efficiency in high-profile business districts.[3] Prominent occupants include the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation (MinEkonomRazvitiya), which manages national economic planning, investment, and regulatory frameworks, occupying floors 17 through 28.[31] Adjacent agencies encompass the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media (MinTsifry), responsible for telecommunications policy, IT governance, and media regulation, on floors 10 through 12 and 14 through 15; and the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MinPromTorg), overseeing manufacturing, trade agreements, and industrial innovation, spanning floors 13 and 30 through 36.[31][32] Supporting federal agencies further populate the structure, such as the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology (Rosstandart) on floor 29, which standardizes measurements and quality controls; the Federal Service for Accreditation (Rosakkreditatsiya) on floors 8 through 9, handling certification and compliance; the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs (FADN) sharing floor 13; and the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Center of Support" on floors 9 through 10, providing logistical aid to governmental operations.[31]| Ministry/Agency | Key Responsibilities | Floors Occupied |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Economic Development | Economic policy, investments, regulations | 17–28 |
| Ministry of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media | IT, telecom, media oversight | 10–12, 14–15 |
| Ministry of Industry and Trade | Industrial production, trade, innovation | 13, 30–36 |
| Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology (Rosstandart) | Standards and metrology | 29 |
| Federal Service for Accreditation (Rosakkreditatsiya) | Accreditation and certification | 8–9 |


