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President of Russia

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National Priorities:
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BLOCK 14 |

[ ATTRIBUTES / The Presidential Residences / Block 14 ] |

Block 14

The former building of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, another part of the presidential residence in the Kremlin, is located not far from the Spasskaya (Savior’s) Gate and was the first building built in the Kremlin during the Soviet period.

The building was erected in 1932-1934 and was designed by architect Ivan Rerberg. The building’s proportions, colors and the neo-classical style of its faзade reflect the influence of the neighboring building built by architect Matvei Kazakov. Building 14 originally housed a Soviet military school. In 1938, it was taken over by the secretariat of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. In 1958, the building’s interior was redesigned to make room for the Kremlin Theater, which seated 1,200 people.

The building’s main vestibule is linked with the main foyer on the second floor by stairs at each side. The foyer is light and elegant with impressive snow-white columns and crystal chandeliers cascading from the ceiling. Bright light streams in from big windows facing the Moscow River.

The main foyer leads into the Assembly Hall, the building’s main hall. The hall was designed in a semi-circle shape to suit its purpose. The white stone walls with gilded metal ornamentation form a beautiful ensemble. The oak furniture upholstered with dark claret-coloured Morocco leather is comfortable and is equipped with headsets for listening to simultaneous translation. A 1.5-tonne wheel-shaped crystal chandelier measuring 11 metres in diameter and fitted with 1,500 light bulbs is attached to the ceiling with a special lightweight fixture.

Next door is the Consultation Hall. The hall is decorated in soft colours and has furniture of dark polished walnut with dark green upholstery. Modern crystal chandeliers decorate the light grey walls. In the centre of the hall is a long table for working. On the building’s second floor is a long suite of ceremonial halls. The first is the Anteroom. A mirror-glass wall makes this small square-shaped hall feel much bigger than it really is and creates a decorative effect that was widely used in the design of ceremonial halls in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Dark brown furniture, walls covered in green silk and an elegant crystal chandelier decorate the hall.

After the Anteroom comes the Reception Hall. This is where foreign ambassadors present their credentials and where state officials hold talks with foreign delegations. Three chandeliers of coloured glass with crystal pendants fill the snow-white hall with light. Light tones dominate the hall – the furniture and doors are of highly polished Karelian birch, cream-coloured moire decorates the walls and the ceiling is white. A red ornamental carpet covers the floor, creating a visually effective contrast.

The next and last hall is the Audience Hall. Its furniture of light Karelian birch and cascades of light flowing from the ceiling and reflecting in the crystal pendants of the huge chandeliers and wall lamps create a ceremonial atmosphere.

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