The famous "Detsky Mir" toy store opened on March 31 in Moscow after a long period of reconstruction which began in summer 2008. More than 100 stores were open this day. The opening ceremony featured a festive concert and a light show.
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© Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov
The construction of the original "Detsky Mir" (Kids’ World) on Lubyanka Square in Moscow began in 1953. The building was designed by famous Soviet architect Alexei Dushkin. The store was officially opened on June 6, 1957.
Above: Toys in a store during the opening of the "Central Childern's Store at Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
Above: Toys in a store during the opening of the "Central Childern's Store at Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
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© Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov
"Detsky Mir" became the largest kids store in the USSR and Europe and symbolized country’s post-war revival.
Above: Hamley’s store workers during the opening ceremony of the "Central Children's Store on Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
Above: Hamley’s store workers during the opening ceremony of the "Central Children's Store on Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
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© Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov
"Detsky Mir" was the main Soviet toy store until the Soviet Union collapsed. In 1992 the store went private. Since then the building was in decline.
Above: Toys in a store during the opening of the "Central Children's Store on Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
Above: Toys in a store during the opening of the "Central Children's Store on Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
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© Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov
In 2005 the building was listed as an object of cultural legacy of the Moscow region. On July 1 2008, "Detsky Mir" was closed for reconstruction.
Above: The largest clockwork in the world at the Central Atrium of the "Central Children's Store on Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
Above: The largest clockwork in the world at the Central Atrium of the "Central Children's Store on Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
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© Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov
During the reconstruction the inner volume of the atrium was kept, and the atrium was expended to seven floors. All the floors are available for customers now.
Above: Toys in a store during the opening of the "Central Children's Store on Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
Above: Toys in a store during the opening of the "Central Children's Store on Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
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© Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov
The dome of the atrium was decorated by a stained-glass window with painting by famous fairy tale illustrator Ivan Bilibin.
Above: Toys in a store during the opening of the "Central Children's Store on Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
Above: Toys in a store during the opening of the "Central Children's Store on Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
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© Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov
The dome also boasts the world’s largest wall-mounted clock (above) which was designed and installed by "Raketa" factory from St. Petersburg.
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© Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov
The total floor space was expanded by 20,000 square meters, to 73,000 after the reconstruction. The mall is capable of housing 180 stores, and 100 of them are already open. The reconstruction cost 8 billion rubles ($141 million by the current exchange rate).
Above: Workers during the opening of the "Central Children's Store at Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
Above: Workers during the opening of the "Central Children's Store at Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
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© Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov
The reconstructed "Detsky Mir" is planned to become an educational and entertainment family center.
Above: Workers near a Hamley’s store during the opening of the "Central Children's Store at Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
Above: Workers near a Hamley’s store during the opening of the "Central Children's Store at Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
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© Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov
About 20 percent of its total floor space will be used for educational programs and interactive educational zones.
Above: Toys in a store during the opening of the "Central Children's Store at Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
Above: Toys in a store during the opening of the "Central Children's Store at Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
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© Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov
There are a lot of cafes and restaurants inside the mall. It also has the "Museum of Childhood" devoted to the history of "Detsky Mir" and vintage toys.
Above: Toys in a store during the opening of the "Central Children's Store at Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
Above: Toys in a store during the opening of the "Central Children's Store at Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
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© Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov
There is also a viewing platform on the roof with a view of Moscow center, including the Kremlin and Red Square.
Above: A worker during the opening of the "Central Children's Store at Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
Above: A worker during the opening of the "Central Children's Store at Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
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© Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov
According to the plan, more than 50,000 customers a day will attend the mall.
Above: Co-owner of Ideas4Retail Evgeny Butman during the opening of the "Central Children's Store at Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
Above: Co-owner of Ideas4Retail Evgeny Butman during the opening of the "Central Children's Store at Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
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© Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov
The main idea of the reconstruction project was to preserve and improve the original parts of the building, especially the atrium.
Above: A store before the opening of the "Central Children's Store at Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
Above: A store before the opening of the "Central Children's Store at Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
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© Sputnik / Ilya Pitalev
The opening ceremony was attended by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and Andrei Kostin, President of VTB bank. The bank was the main investor of the project.
Above: Children playing during the opening of the "Central Children's Store at Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
Above: Children playing during the opening of the "Central Children's Store at Lubyanka" mall in Moscow.
