The Rossiya Cinema is a Soviet multi-screen cinema in the Leninsky District of Nizhny Novgorod, built in 1969 at the intersection of Lenin Avenue and Zarechny Boulevard. At the time of its opening it was considered one of the largest in the country: three auditoriums accommodated more than 1,200 viewers. According to sources, the cinema had the largest screen in Nizhny Novgorod, and one of its auditoriums seated around 1,000 viewers; the building's total area is 3,600 sq. m.[5][1] In 2021 it was closed by decision of its owner.[1] Demolition of the building and comprehensive redevelopment of the site are planned for 2026.

History

The cinema opened in 1969 and for decades served as one of the main cultural venues in Leninsky District. In 2000 the building underwent restoration. A large-scale reconstruction of the building was completed in 2001, not in 2000 as is sometimes stated.[5][1] After closing in 2021, the building has stood empty. Rossiya became the third Soviet-era cinema in Nizhny Novgorod to be slated for demolition to make way for new construction: previously, the Elektron cinema (December 2023) and the Impuls cinema (February 2024) were demolished in Prioksky District.[5] In early 2026, a comprehensive territory development (CTD) agreement was signed with the investor — LLC Karo-Film — at the initiative of the rights holder. In June 2024, a transfer of ownership was registered: LLC Reka — a company incorporated in Saint Petersburg in May 2024 and affiliated with the developer group Veren Group — became the sole participant of LLC Karo-Film; the ultimate beneficiaries are Valentin Chernysh and Alexey Balykin.[5][1] In April 2026, a master plan for the site's development was presented.[1]

Demolition and Redevelopment

According to the territory planning and land subdivision project submitted for public discussion in August 2026, the cinema building is to be demolished by 30 December 2027.[2] Along with it, the old utility infrastructure will be dismantled.[3] The project documentation was prepared by LLC Geoproject-NN.[1]

The 1.74-hectare site is to be developed in a single phase. In place of the cinema, the project envisages a 25-storey apartment building with 597 units totalling 27,800 sq. m of floor area (designed for 926 residents), with an underground car park for 217 vehicles and built-in public spaces of 770 sq. m, as well as a two-storey covered ice arena of approximately 3,900–4,100 sq. m for ice hockey, figure skating, and speed skating. Under the CTD programme "Zarechny Boulevard", in addition to the residential building and the ice arena, the project provides for the construction of a kindergarten for 200 children and an extension of School No. 182 for 1,300 pupils.[6][1][2][3] The project also includes internal estate roads totalling 265 m, pavements (1,475 m), a cycle path (170 m), children's and sports playgrounds, recreational areas, and landscaping.[1]

Construction works are subject to a number of preconditions: completion of emergency repair works on the hydraulic Rzhavka tunnels on Zarechny Boulevard (contractor — LLC Nizhegorodspetsgidrostroy, deadline — 30 November 2026) and commissioning of the new "Zarechnaya" station of the Oka River Cable Car, scheduled for July 2027.[1][3] The entire construction complex is to be completed by 30 May 2031.[2]

Leninsky District

Sources

  1. Kommersant (Volga Region) — According to sources, the cinema had the largest screen in Nizhny Novgorod, and one of its auditoriums seated around 1,000 viewers; the building's total area is 3,600 sq. m (archive)
  2. V gorode N — Under the CTD programme "Zarechny Boulevard", in addition to the residential building and the ice arena, the project provides for the construction of a kindergarten for 200 children and an extension of School No. 182 for 1,300 pupils. (archive)
  1. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" — The Rossiya Cinema in Nizhny Novgorod is to be demolished by the end of 2027 — Nizhny Novgorod News (archive)
  2. Newsroom24 — In Nizhny Novgorod, the Rossiya Cinema will be demolished by the end of 2027 — Real Estate (archive)
  3. GIPERNN — The Rossiya Cinema in Nizhny Novgorod is planned for demolition by the end of 2027 (archive)
  4. Otkryty Nizhny — In Nizhny Novgorod, a residential building and an ice arena will be built on the site of the Rossiya Cinema (archive)
Materials from articles used (1)