The Gorky Automobile Plant's idea to revive the historic square in front of the Avtozavodsky department store has been implemented.

      The improvement of the public space, initiated by employees of the Gorky Automobile Plant, took place within the framework of the national project “Infrastructure for Life.”

      The idea of returning classical monumentality and a historical positioning as the district’s center to this space is part of the sustainable development concept for the Avtozavodsky District, developed by the Gorky Automobile Plant. A pre-concept for the square’s modernization was created under the “New Social Vector” (NSV) program, which is being implemented with the support of Oleg Deripaska.

      The Avtozavodsky Department Store is an architectural object of the Sotsgorod, the historical center of the district, from which streets radiate toward the main zones — industrial, residential, cultural. Urbanist Alexander Chekmarev, who participated in developing the brand code and the sustainable development concept for the Avtozavodsky District, as well as five key projects implemented under the NSV program, proposed to restore the square’s historical essence as the center of the Avtozavodsky District. The employees of the Gorky Automobile Plant sent the proposal to renovate the territory to the head of Nizhny Novgorod, Yuri Shalabaev.

      At public hearings dedicated to the square’s improvement, residents expressed a desire to lay a comfortable pedestrian route from Glory Park to the department store and the park of culture and recreation so that the square would become a starting point for district tours, and to remove advertising from the shopping center’s façade so that the architectural dominant would be visible from all sides without obstruction.

      The final concept and the design-and-estimate documentation were developed by the municipal institution “Nizhegorodgrazhdanproekt.”

      During the renovation, the square received a new pavement in a variety of colors and textures; shrubs and trees were planted; new benches and swings with canopies were installed; a modern lighting system was mounted with replacement of poles and relocation of wires underground; and comfortable bus shelters were installed.

      “This territory has been transformed from a trading-transit area into a full-fledged relaxation zone, whose highlight is the granite panel with a map of the district where Avtozavod residents will be able to find familiar houses and places. Tourist excursions around the Avtozavodsky District will start from here,” said the head of Nizhny Novgorod, Yuri Shalabaev.

      According to the head of the Avtozavodsky District, Alexander Nagin, the improved space in front of the department store completes the large-scale transformation of the district that began several years ago under the “Formation of a Comfortable Urban Environment” project.

      “The people of Avtozavod asked to put this square in order in front of the most beautiful building in our district, a cultural heritage site — the Avtozavodsky Department Store. In effect, the district center now constitutes an improved architectural ensemble that includes Kiselev Square, Glory Park, and the boulevard along Vedenyapin Street,” commented Alexander Nagin. “Now you can walk from Shnitnikova Street to the center of Avtozavod along an improved area more than two kilometers long. It has become a large arranged zone with children’s and sports playgrounds, greenery, places for quiet relaxation, and a bike lane.”

      A representative of the contracting organization, Alexey Efremov, said that new paving stones were laid, curbstones installed, and lawns sown at the houses and commercial premises located near the Avtozavodsky Department Store. These works helped create a cohesive appearance for the territory.

      For Avtozavod residents, in their opinion, the space’s transformation has special significance because of the territory’s importance to the district.

      “I never even thought this square was so large, because when the kiosks were here everything was cluttered. Now it’s very cozy here,” local resident Olga Kryukova said.

      “My little daughter really likes this square, we started walking here often. It’s especially beautiful in the evening when the lamps come on. These are important changes for all Avtozavod residents,” says young mother Yulia Manakhova.

      More news about the event:

      Map, benches and lilacs: how the area near the Avtozavodsky Department Store has been transformed

      The area by the Avtozavodsky Department Store in Nizhny Novgorod is now unrecognizable. 12:38 18.09.2025 NIA Nizhny Novgorod - Nizhny Novgorod

      The Gorky Automobile Plant’s idea to revive the historic square in front of the Avtozavodsky Department Store has been implemented

      The improvement of the public space, initiated by employees of the Gorky Automobile Plant, took place within the framework of the national project “Infrastructure for Life.” 12:20 18.09.2025 Online edition Zhivem v Nizhnem - Nizhny Novgorod

      Photos of the new square in front of the Avtozavodsky Department Store have been published

      Work has been completed on improving the public space in front of the Avtozavodsky Department Store in Nizhny Novgorod. 10:02 18.09.2025 Nizhegorodskaya Pravda - Nizhny Novgorod

      News from neighboring regions on the topic:

      National project “Infrastructure for Life”: new public spaces and parks are being created in the Tver Region

      Photo: Leonid Smirnov/RIA Verkhnevolzhye

      In the Tver Region, the improvement of 55 public spaces has been completed. 11:35 18.09.2025 Tverskie Vedomosti - Tver

      The improvement of three public spaces is nearing completion in Komsomolsk-on-Amur

      This year, more improved public spaces will appear in the Leninsky District of Komsomolsk-on-Amur. 13:12 18.09.2025 Government of the Khabarovsk Krai - Khabarovsk