The Likhachev plant is one of the oldest engineering enterprises that Russia inherited from the USSR. In Soviet times, he played an important strategic role. What has become of this giant today? What is on the territory of the ZIL plant?
Historical reference
This plant began to exist in 1916, when it was planned in Russia to create an enterprise capable of producing trucks of the Italian company FIAT. Due to the difficult political and economic circumstances of 1917, this idea was not fully implemented. Not all the buildings of the new plant were built in Tulevoy Grove, and production could not be started. Therefore, the leadership decided to start assembling Italian trucks from ready-made parts.
Over the years, the territory of the ZIL plant has gradually increased, and he himself has turned from simple workshops for assembling and repairing trucks into a real industrial giant. By 1975, over 200 thousand cars were produced at its facilities per year. But by the end of the 80s, a crisis had ripened at the plant: previous truck models were morally obsolete, and new developments were unsuccessful. ZIL did not have time to get out of it - the collapse of the Soviet Union and a sharp decline in economic indicators occurred, which led to an almost complete shutdown of the enterprise.
Post-soviet period
In the early 2000s, the enterprise management made repeated attempts to raise the ZIL to its former level. But they were all in vain. Debts grew, buildings were empty, jobs were reduced. Over time, a semi-abandoned industrial zone was formed in the southern district of Moscow, which occupies 275 hectares. Therefore, the city government decided to change this situation.
In 2013, a decision was made to reconstruct the territory. A new gated community will be built here, in which about 30 thousand people can live. Infrastructure objects and several working workshops of the plant will create about 45 thousand more jobs.
In 2016, the last car was launched at ZIL. Today, the capacities are stopped and active reconstruction of the territories and development is underway around the plant. Already now you can buy apartments in the territory of the ZIL plant.
About the new residential complex
"ZILART" is the name of the new microdistrict, which will grow on the site of an abandoned industrial zone. It will consist of residential buildings on 6-14 floors, educational and entertainment facilities.
New buildings on the territory of the ZIL plant will be fully commissioned in about 10 years. Although the first phase of construction is almost complete. Each house in this project was created taking into account the place of erection, the direction of the facades and other factors important for a comfortable stay in them.
It is worth noting that kindergartens and secondary schools will be combined into one system, which will be an innovation for the capital. Great attention is also paid to other infrastructure facilities: a sports and entertainment complex will be built on the territory, which already partially receives visitors.
Industrial facilities will be separated from residential areas by park areas, the latter will become a reminder of the Tulle Grove that grew here earlier.
Industrial facilities
Thanks to the new project, the appearance of Moscow will substantially change in this district . The territory of the ZIL plant for the most part will turn into a modern microdistrict. But the enterprise itself does not plan to completely liquidate. 50 hectares are allocated for it in the southern part of the former plant.
All other buildings are either subject to demolition or are being reconstructed into art objects, business centers and sports facilities. Many pessimists say that in this way the Moscow government kills the industrial giant. Whether car production resumes, time will tell.
Transport and pedestrian infrastructure
Now the territory of the ZIL plant is still not quite suitable for a full life. And all because it is slightly isolated from the main transport arteries of the city. Yes, and internal roads leave much to be desired. To remedy this situation, the reconstruction project includes the construction of 30 km of new roads. 3 automobile and 2 pedestrian bridges will be built across the Moscow River. This will give direct access to the Warsaw Highway and other important streets.
Pedestrian comfort in the project is also given a considerable place. Firstly, all embankments on which observation platforms will appear will be equipped. Secondly, for the safety of movement inside the district, underground and elevated pedestrian crossings will be built.
The longest pedestrian boulevard in Moscow will appear in the residential complex. Its length will be 1.2 km. On it it will be possible to reach the branch of the Hermitage Museum that is still under construction.
Also, pedestrians will have access to the park area, which stretches over 14 hectares. Famous urbanists are engaged in the development of the park, which will make it as enjoyable as possible for relaxation. That's how they gradually plan to reorganize the territory of the ZIL plant.
Interesting Facts
When designing the ZILART microdistrict, the best experience of the cities of the world was taken into account. So, the promenade is compared with the same in Paris, the park with Barcelona, the pedestrian zones with Singapore.
The residential complex on the territory of the ZIL plant was simultaneously developed by the 10 best architectural agencies of the country. This allowed us to create a project not just of a microdistrict, but of a real art object that will be executed in a futuristic style.
The building for the Hermitage branch was designed by Professor Hani Rashid, whose projects have already built outstanding structures, for example, in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Paris. According to his idea, this is a tower 150 meters high, which will be located at the beginning of the art zone of the microdistrict. The architect himself calls it a bridge from the past to the future.
About half of all streets will be pedestrian. It is planned to give them the names of prominent scientists and artists, for example: Kadinsky, Chagall, Stepanova, Ginzburg and others.
25 hectares of territory will be occupied by the Park of Legends sports and entertainment center. Today, the ice palace operates in it, where the World Hockey Championship in 2016, the Hockey Museum, and the Synchronized Swimming Center were held.
Of course, plans to change the look of the industrial zone are huge, and only time will tell whether they are destined to materialize. But if this really happens, ZILART will become another gem of the capital.