Located on the eastern fringes of St. Petersburg, the mixed-use regeneration project includes a hotel, public space, retail units, offices and apartments.

The city of St. Petersburg is beloved for its incredible cultural and architectural heritage. In keeping with a long history of creating great places, HOK presents a visionary master plan for the Baltic Pearl. The Baltic Pearl is an unprecedented opportunity to complement St. Petersburg’s rich history and development with a modern face. This new destination will offer a vibrant, contemporary lifestyle on the banks of Gulf of Finland with year-round recreational and tourist amenities.The most inspiring cities in the world such as Shanghai,London and Paris have been able to successfully expand their cities in a way that enriches their distinctive character while carefully balancing the demands of a modern metropolis. These new districts offer the vital elements cities need to remain productive and inspiring centers to live, work and play. The Baltic Pearl’s 208 hectare site is such an opportunity for St. Petersburg’s future.

Tim Gale, HOK’s Head of Planning in London, comments: ‘This is a new genre of master planning for St. Petersburg and it’s a brave move for the City. The plan seeks to capture the synergy between the academic base and more commercial uses to provide a dynamic and democratic heart to the district.’

The plan, which accommodates an existing technical university and public transport links, includes new office space, business starter units and a technology training centre, as well as residential units, hotel, retail and amenity space in a series of towers, up to 80m tall.

The state is funding a third of the cost of the scheme, which is due to start on site in 2010.

HOK has described the plan as a ‘microcosm of the city’.

The project is due to start on-site in 2010 assuming planning permission is granted.