Use

The City Palace will make history in Russia. Apart from being a completely unique feature on the city skyline, the luxurious contemporary venue will overturn years of austere civil marriage ceremonies, when Muscovites traditionally said their vows in the shadow of the Communist flag. It is now expected to attract international visitors to share the new experience of being married in a truly modern and lavish setting.

"The tower has two elements that represent a male and female wrapped around each other like Rodin's 'The Kiss'. It’s about celebration - just like being in a church. But there are many people now who aren’t religious but want to get married somewhere uplifting and special. Maybe other places could learn from
the City Palace.

The walls of the wedding palace will be peppered by diamond shaped slots which will provide unique lighting conditions for each wedding ceremony taking place in the room, creating a sun-dial effect. Wedding parties of up to 200 guests will be able to proceed to the top-floor ballroom for their party, whilst enjoying breathtaking views of Red Square.

In an unusual design partnership, Group Design Director at RMJM, Tony Kettle, commissioned Scottish artist, Karn Forbes, to work with him on the project believing that the building itself should also be a mrriage of art and architecture.

Tony and Karen focused particular attention on the context of this building within Russian culture, while addressing the many different requirements of the clients. It is part of the continued development of 'Moscow-City', a major initiative by the Russian capital to create a central business district on a former industrial zone, three miles from the Kremlin. Therefore, to optimise City Palace's uses, apart from the Wedding Palace, the building will also function as prime office, retail and civic space, and house a museum.