Hotel of the Moscow City Soviet ("Moskva"). L. Savelyev, O. Stapran. 1931

In 1931, the Moscow City Soviet (Mossovet) conducted a closed competition for a 1000-room hotel, conforming to the highest criteria of the time. Of the six plans submitted, the best was judged to be the work of young architects L.Savelyev and 0.Stapran. Architectural publications and the general press carefully monitored all the stages of design and construction: from the point of view of urban planning, this building had immense significance-it was located at the intersection of the city's main thoroughfare, Gorky Street, with the projected new "Ilyich Avenue", an enormous street which would lead to the Palace of Soviets. When the walls of the future "Moskva" hotel were being erected, academician A.Schusev was appointed head of the architectural team. The plans for the facade of the building were changed to reflect the new monumental spirit and orientation toward classical tradition. According to legend, Stalin was shown both versions of the facade of the building on one sheet, and placed his signature of approval on both, as a result of which the facade of the completed hotel was assymetncal. Construction ended in 1934, "Ilyich Avenue" was never laid out, but today's Manezh Square, formed on the site of demolished Mokhovye streets, is a trace of its beginnings.