Why has Kaliningrad become a symbol of European living comfort in Russia?

Kaliningrad is the most European city in Russia.

Kaliningrad can undoubtedly be considered the most European city in Russia. The architectural solutions in the city amaze with their originality and are noticeably different from the familiar forms of buildings found in other Russian towns. The cultural heritage of the region consists not only of ancient structures but also includes modern constructions, such as the residential complex "Tsvetnoy Boulevard," which received the award for "Best Regional Comfort-Class Residential Complex" at the anniversary federal award in urban real estate, "Urban Awards 2018," in 2018.

Project in Svetlogorsk

The next project, implemented by the developer in 2019 on the resort coast of Svetlogorsk, came as a real surprise to many Russians. This complex is located along the picturesque shores of the warm Baltic Sea and stands out:

• the presence of a fireplace in the winter garden on the roof;
• a unique opportunity to furnish apartments in traditional Russian style, with baths made of royal cedar.

However, even the famous "nudist beach" on the roof and the signal round for vacationers have made this place a true legend. Anyone can visit this club house on any Sunday and even meet the famous Königsberg cat Murka. Moreover, the tours are conducted by the project leader of "Russian Europe," Viktor Ivanyuk himself.

New project - "Happy City"

It is necessary to discuss the new project of the Russian Europe Group of Companies — the first eco-quarter in Russia called "Happy City." The apartments in this complex are attracting attention from clients all over the country. Partners from the company "Realt" had the opportunity to speak with the project manager of the developer "AvangardInvestProject" to find out:

• the secret to the success of their projects;
• Why is it more advantageous to buy property through real estate agents?
• How a video review of an apartment in the club house "Re Premier" in Svetlogorsk managed to gain 1.6 million views on TikTok.

Quotes by Viktor Ivanyuk

“Stop filling Russia with second-rate buildings!” — this is one of the striking phrases from Viktor Ivanyuk, who oversees the “Tsvetnoy Boulevard” and “Happy City” projects. He has also been honored with the title of “Honored Builder of Russia.” With 40 years of experience in construction, Viktor confidently states that modern new buildings often do not meet the requirements for comfortable and contemporary living.

Studying customer needs

“Developers often do not understand what their clients need. We conducted extensive research and based on the data obtained, we created residential properties that truly meet people's desires,” emphasizes Ivanyuk. The increased interest in their projects and activity in the market serve as confirmation of the effectiveness of their approach.

Team experience

Viktor Ivanovich and 35 other employees of his company once purchased apartments in "Tsvetnoy Boulevard," which they built themselves to "feel the atmosphere and subsequently improve the quality of future projects." The approach to developing the new eco-district differs from traditional methods used by developers in the real estate market. These changes involve a deeper understanding of the needs of future residents and creating housing that meets their expectations.

Contribution to the future

Thus, "Russian Europe" makes a significant contribution to the creation of new, comfortable, and modern living spaces in Kaliningrad and beyond.

Development of the residential complex "Russian Europe"

At the beginning of the implementation of the residential complex project called "Russian Europe," the architects of the company "AvangardInvestProject" developed original layouts for the apartments and then held a competition among experienced architects. The main goal of this event was to select the most talented specialist who could bring the unconventional architectural concept to life. Such actions significantly helped reduce potential risks.

The structures in this project represent an amazing blend of different architectural styles, including modernism, classicism, and intricate facade details, resulting in a truly unique ensemble.

Unique features of the apartments

Additionally, the apartments were designed to include space for a traditional Russian bath, located near the bathrooms, which makes the layouts truly original and comfortable for living. We took into account the need to separate the living areas into "clean" and "dirty" zones to maintain order and convenience.

• Intercoms have been installed in the kitchens to minimize the need for frequent trips to the front door.
• Each resident has access to a guest restroom and a special laundry room equipped with the necessary supplies.

One of the architects, Viktor Ivanyuk, talks about such innovations: each resident has access to a guest restroom and a special laundry room, which is equipped with all the necessary hygiene products and chemicals.

Comfort and safety

Each apartment is equipped with individual heating that can be adjusted using a compact heating unit. The installation of energy-saving panoramic windows also enhances sound insulation. Since the residential buildings are positioned as environmentally friendly, a decision has been made to abandon gas heating in favor of electric stoves, which also contributes to increased safety levels.

• Sanitary facilities are provided in the hallways for the convenience of the children.
• All the essential amenities are provided for parents in these facilities: a changing table, a hairdryer, a mirror, and a hand dryer.

Aesthetics of the environment

The aesthetics of the view from the windows is also an important aspect, so we paid attention not only to the interior space but also to the surrounding environment. For example, in the residential complex "Tsvetnoy Boulevard," we made changes to the facade of the neighboring building, improved the roadway, and planted a park with thuja trees.

Structure of the "Russian Europe" project

The "Russian Europe" project includes six residential complexes and an educational cluster, which consists of a kindergarten and a school. The first residential complex, named "Address of Happiness," consists of fifteen buildings with varying heights from 9 to 14 floors.

The complex is expected to be put into operation in mid-2023 along with the necessary infrastructure. This complex plans to accommodate 641 apartments with a total area of over 60,000 square meters, as well as nearly 4,000 square meters of non-residential facilities. The underground parking is designed for 472 cars.

Master plan for development

The master plan for the eco-district "Russian Europe" represents a modern approach to space organization. The courtyard features the concept of a "car-free yard," which ensures comfort and safety for all residents.

• Special play areas for children.
• Tennis court, workout areas, and trampolines.
• Football fields and basketball courts.
• Dog walking areas.

"Russian Europe" will be the first project based on the happy city concept in our country, highlighting its essence in creating a favorable urban environment for living.

A comfortable life is just an arm's reach away.

In this situation, it is implied that everything necessary for comfortable living will be just a few steps away: shops, medical facilities, educational institutions, as well as potential workplaces. The new residential area will follow the concept of a "slow city," aimed at improving the quality of life by slowing down the pace of life.

Research shows that time spent traveling, shopping, and waiting in traffic takes a significant toll on individuals, including their finances. By living in a convenient and comfortable location, a family can save money for their child's housing by the time they reach adulthood, shares the project initiator.

High interest in new apartments

In most cases, like in the residential complex "Tsvetnoy Boulevard," apartments in the first residential complex of the new eco-district "Russian Europe" were highly sought after by residents of the Far East, Murmansk, northern regions of the country, and Kazakhstan. About half of the properties were purchased by Kaliningrad residents themselves, who want to improve their living conditions.

Use of escrow accounts

— We useescrow accounts“This significantly increases trust from buyers,” emphasizes Viktor Ivanyuk.

Currently, the share of shared participation agreements in the total number of transactions reaches 50%. The company plans to increase this figure to 60%.

Viktor Ivanyuk noted that realtors receive 3% of the apartment's value. Notably, in their system, the cost of one square meter exceeds the prices of competing agencies by 1000 rubles, making collaboration with them quite profitable. This creates opportunities for savings on advertising expenses and maintaining a large sales department, while the partner network continues to grow actively.

Selling apartments through auctions

In addition, the sale of apartments is carried out through auction mechanisms, involving both end buyers and realtors. It is during these auctions that the market value of real estate properties is determined.

• Apartments are being auctioned at a price that ensures the profitability of their construction.
• During the auction, buyers raise the offered bids to the level of market prices.

The history of organizing excursions

Viktor Ivanyuk also shares his past experience when he organized tours for potential buyers of new buildings with partners from various regions. This allowed people to better familiarize themselves with the living conditions in the new homes.

The cost of tickets was refunded if the client purchased an apartment. However, over time, this practice has lost its relevance: interest in Kaliningrad is now growing, and residents of other cities are independently finding companies.

Trust in online transactions

Since the beginning of 2020, there has been a growing trust in online transactions, and the technologies for conducting them have significantly improved, allowing for deals to be made without leaving home, for example, in Khabarovsk.

Viktor Ivanyuk, who has visited many cities across the country, emphasizes that Russia is still unable to offer similar projects. The best new developments are concentrated in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Tyumen, while in smaller cities, quality residential properties are much rarer.

The necessity of implementing new ideas

According to Viktor, it is necessary to take risks and introduce new solutions in the construction sector.

• Multifamily housing in Russia is not only a reality of today but also the future.
• There is a shortage of decent housing, and many citizens are in need of higher quality living conditions.
• In the next hundred years, the demand for housing will not be adequately met.

We should build not high-rise buildings of 20-25 floors, but comfortable and aesthetically pleasing homes up to 12 stories high.

Competition and quality of work

The company "Avangardinvestproekt" is not afraid of competition and, on the contrary, hopes that other developers will start raising their standards. Viktor does not keep track of the work of Belarusian builders, but proudly speaks of the high level of quality in the work of local specialists, who properly fulfill their obligations.

Kaliningrad is the most European city in Russia.

In conclusion, it can be said that Kaliningrad truly deserves the title of the most European city in Russia. I enjoyed exploring the architectural diversity and uniqueness of this region, from historical landmarks to modern residential complexes like the "Tsvetnoy Boulevard" and the eco-district "Russian Europe." These projects not only transform the city's appearance but also change the approach to construction, focusing on the needs and desires of the citizens.

A new vision of life

Delving into this fascinating topic, I realized that against the backdrop of outdated construction standards, there is a growing need for greater attention to comfort and ecology today. We see how proactive developers, such as Viktor Ivanyuk and his team, strive to create environments that not only meet the basic needs of residents but also inspire them to lead a quality life. For example, thoughtful layouts with areas for cleanliness and coziness, children's restrooms in the hallways, and well-designed public spaces highlight the importance of every detail.

Projects that shape the future

The emergence of projects like "Russian Europe" opens a new chapter in the history of urban development in Russia. This is not just housing; these are true "cities of happiness" where people want to live, work, and relax. I was particularly pleased to learn about the team of professionals who are turning their dreams of quality housing into reality, creating thoughtful spaces that care for the health and well-being of residents.

Features of new projects:

• Comfort and coziness:zones for cleanliness and comfort in apartments.
• Innovations:children's toilets in the stairwells.
• Public spaces:thoughtful landscaping

Prospects for development

With each new project, Kaliningrad is becoming an increasingly attractive place to live and invest. I hope that this positive momentum will continue to grow and inspire other regions of the country to undertake similar transformations. We can all contribute to improving the urban environment, and, as practice shows, quite successfully. Moreover, this is a wonderful opportunity for our fellow citizens to discover something new and unique against the backdrop of the usual acid urban development.

Conclusion

So, as we look to the future, I optimistically anticipate further positive changes in the world of urban real estate and architecture. After all, as the examples from Kaliningrad have shown, it is possible to create not just a comfortable, but a truly happy urban space where everyone can find their place.