You're reading: Demolition on Andriyivsky Uzviz brings criticism, rethink by billionaire Akhmetov

Protest over destruction of historic buildings prompts Akhmetov to backtrack, cancel plans to build multi-story business center at the historic tourist attraction.

The controversial reconstruction of Kyiv’s historical Andriyivsky Uzviz took a further twist on April 10 when buildings owned by Rinat Akhmetov, the country’s richest man, were demolished.

The destruction caused uproar, bringing hundreds of Kyivans onto the street in a protest outside the office of Akhmetov’s System Capital Management holding on April 11.

By April 12, Akhmetov had backed off plans to build a multistory business center in the buildings’ place, promising instead to build a cultural center and restore the facades.

The retreat by Akhmetov, who is also a lawmaker close to President Viktor Yanukovych, marks a rare victory for civil society in thwarting Ukraine’s powerful oligarchs.

It could also energize the campaign by critics of the seven-month reconstruction of the winding cobbled descent, who claim the historical street is being damaged by poor planning and poor execution.

The removal of three buildings, which used to stand behind the green fence (pictured), caused an uproar this week, as Kyivans protested the changes to the historical Andriyivsky Uzviz. The buildings, owned by billionaire Rinat Akhmetov, were torn down to be replaced by a business center. But after protesters expressed outrage on the Internet and outside Akhmetov’s offices in Kyiv, he announced that the buildings’ facades would be restored to their original style. The reconstruction on Andriyivsky is scheduled to finish on May 25 for Kyiv Day. (Kostyantyn Chernichkin)

News of the demolition broke when a Kyiv resident posted a photograph of the scene on Facebook. “They have done this quickly and quietly. At some point they just blocked pedestrian access along Andriyivsky. Everyone thought it was reconstruction,” the resident, Sash Karpin, wrote.

The buildings demolished, according to Akhmetov’s real estate company ESTA Holding, were the former Soviet factory “Yunist” at 9/11 Florivska Street. These buildings are in a courtyard behind Koleso Theater near the bottom of Andriyivsky Uzviz, or St. Andrew’s Descent. An associated building that faces onto Andriyivsky Uzviz was also destroyed.

A spokeswoman for ESTA, Marina Makarova, said in emailed comments that the buildings were erected in 1978 and had no architectural value.

Some activists and tourists guides, however, wrote on blogs that the factory dates back to the 19th century, before being destroyed and rebuilt in the 1970s in its old image. They said the associated building facing onto the descent also dates to the 19th century and was only renovated in the 1970s.

ESTA’s Makarova said the work was carried out carefully and that specialists constantly monitored the state of surrounding areas. But Iryna Klishchevska, director of Koleso Theater, said the works “feel like an earthquake,” adding that she was concerned about the state of the theater.

It was probably absolutely incomprehensible to them that some old buildings could provoke such a reaction from society,

– Sociologist Andriy Bychenko from the Razumkov Center

Kyiv City Administration said the reconstruction of buildings that are in private hands is decided by their owners, although permission is needed depending on whether a building is considered architecturally significant.

One city official said receiving such permission was easy. ESTA says it had the necessary permission.

Several hundred protestors, including boxer-cum-politician Vitali Klitschko, gathered outside the main Kyiv office of Akhmetov’s SCM holding on the evening of April 11.

They dumped rubble onto a pile and held banners. One read: “Speculators, get your hands off ancient Kyiv!” Another demanded: “Akhmetov, get out of Kyiv!”

Around 50 riot police officers stood outside the office, and one female protester was taken to hospital after she was pushed to the floor and lost consciousnesses during minor clashes.

A small group of well-built men in jeans and dark jackets were preventing protesters carrying rubble from walking up Desyatynna Street, where Akhmetov’s office is located. Such men have in the past been used to intervene violently against protestors.

This protest, however, remained mostly calm.

Later that evening, a statement by Akhmetov was posted on SCM’s website, claiming the whole situation was a misunderstanding.

“ESTA, having considered the opinions of Kyivans, decided in March to abandon the construction of a business center,” he said.

“Unfortunately, two gross errors were committed after this decision. First, the company’s actions were not coordinated; second, they were not explained to the public.”

Sociologist Andriy Bychenko from the Razumkov Center said Akhmetov’s company simply underestimated the reaction to the demolition of buildings on one of Kyiv’s most loved streets.

“It was probably absolutely incomprehensible to them that some old buildings could provoke such a reaction from society,” he said.
Bychenko added that the retreat by Akhmetov may simply be a holding move until elections for Kyiv mayor later this year, where his Party of Regions will compete.

Klitschko, seen as a likely candidate for mayor, called for a moratorium on all construction work on Andriyivskiy.

The reconstruction of the descent has already caused uproar among locals since it was started in September. Residents and businesses have complained that the work relaying the road and upgrading some of the buildings’ facades is being carried out unprofessionally and threatens to damage a this unique corner of Kyiv.

City authorities say the work will be completed by Kyiv Day on May 25.

Kyiv Post staff writer Daryna Shevchenko can be reached at [email protected]