Moscow’s radical urban regeneration programme has taken another step forward following the announcement that Sergey Skuratov Architects have been selected to design a large leisure and residential complex opposite the Kremlin.

Describing the site of the project in the capital’s Sofiyskaya Embankment, Skuratov said: “It’s a wasteland overgrown with weeds, forgotten by residents, concealed from the glances of passers-by and completely separated from the city life still flowing around it.

“The site is a paradox. It is right in the centre of the capital's business, tourist and residential zone, but it is a ghost site.”

His design centres around three longitudinal units with roofs of different types and heights that will provide a gentle transition between the area’s old and new buildings. They will house art galleries, restaurants, shops, bars and cafes, in addition to residential living space. Other leisure facilities include a spa, a pool and a fitness centre. The buildings will be linked by a new promenade connecting with pedestrian zones in the nearby Red October district.

Skuratov said his firm’s complex will be designed for use by people of all ages and backgrounds, adding that the design follows Moscow’s current ‘“living space philosophy.” He added: “Clearly we need a contemporary approach to municipal development, based on complex principles of modern urbanism.”

Development in Moscow’s central districts has accelerated in recent months. It was announced this month that Neutelings Riedijk Architects will build a 75m-high mixed-use tower on the site of an old automobile plant 5km (3 miles) from the city centre. In a separate development, the Renzo Piano Building Workshop have been commissioned to convert a historic Red October power station into a brand new venue exhibiting contemporary Russian arts and culture for the V-A-C Foundation.