Norman Foster plans a skyscraper in the middle of Siberia

Khanty-Mansiysk - In the city of Khanty-Mansiysk on the banks of the mighty Irtysh River, there are less than 60,000 inhabitants, yet it is here that perhaps the tallest skyscraper in the Siberian part of Russia will rise. And it won't be just any skyscraper; plans for the construction of the 280-meter tall building Kristall are being drawn up by the renowned British architect Lord Norman Foster.
According to the internet portal newsru.com, the building is to be located on one of seven hills near the city, surrounded by the remnants of Siberian forest. The entire complex, comprising several buildings under a shared glass roof, is expected to include both offices and apartments, as well as two hotels.
The project was presented last week by the local governor Alexandr Filipenko and elicited mixed reactions from the residents. “People need to clarify why it is necessary, what it will bring to the city, to individuals. But there were also pragmatic questions, such as what to do if the skyscraper falls. I must emphasize that this is an investment project, and the investor is primarily thinking about themselves. And if in this case the investor has decided to realize the project, it means it is advantageous for them,” said the governor.
According to Filipenko, a building of similar size is a sign of a bright future for Khanty-Mansiysk. “Without such business centers, we can no longer do without,” noted the governor. The area surrounding the city, which also hosts the Czech honorary consulate, has been getting richer in recent years mainly due to the extraction of mineral resources.
British architect Norman Foster, known for the reconstruction of the Reichstag building in Berlin or the Kommerzbank skyscraper in Frankfurt, is well known in Russia—admired and denounced alike. His plans for the reconstruction of the center of Moscow at the site of the demolished giant Rossiya hotel were personally rejected by Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, who stated that while he may be aging, round buildings will not be built during his tenure in the Russian metropolis.