Patriarchal bridge - 1

Now you are standing on a pedestrian Patriarchal bridge, which was opened in 2004. Immediately after the opening, it has become a popular destination for youth, couples and honeymooners.

Nowadays creative industries clustering has become a regular feature in a number of big cities. And this phenomenon is gaining popularity in Moscow as well. There are several successful and innovative examples. The first one was  Artplay, which opened in 2003 in a former factory building. The place soon became popular and the resulting synergy between arts and business was the first for Moscow. So, a new trend in Moscow was started off.

Today we will focus on one of the brightest examples of industrial transformation – and that is the “Red October”. The former chocolate factory is located on Bolotny Island in the Mosckva River, in close proximity to the Kremlin, the Christ the Savior Cathedral, the Pushkin Museum, the Tretyakov Modern Gallery and the Gorki Park.

From this point you can see a complex of eleven buildings, made of red brick. They were built in the mid-19th century.

Chocolate production moved out in 2007 and the site  was transformed into a bohemian island of art, fun and culture, comparable to a hipster paradise like New York`s East Village. The area is now a unique and vital element in Moscow’s city life.

You can spend the whole day here, starting with breakfast at one of the cafes, continuing with a visit to one of the galleries or shopping, followed with a lecture at Strelka and finalize the day at one of the night clubs.

The “Red October” is successfully integrated into the city’s infrastructure. In terms of pedestrian accessibility, there is no similar project.

Now you are to go down the nearest stairs, our next stop is Strelka Institute.