Source: Tom 18

Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR No. 53

On the Construction of Multi-Story Buildings in Moscow January 13, 1947

In order to transform the architectural appearance of Moscow, to build multi-story buildings that would define the city's new silhouette, the Council of Ministers of the USSR resolves:

1. To construct in Moscow within the period 1947-1952 multi-story buildings: a) A 32-story building on the Lenin Hills; b) A 32-story building near the Red Gates; c) A 16-story building on the Smolensk Square; d) A 16-story building on Vosstaniya Square; e) A 16-story building on the Kotelniki Embankment; f) A 16-story building near the Krasnye Vorota Metro station; g) A 16-story building in the Zaryadye. h) A 26-story building on Kudrinskaya Square.

2. All buildings are to be designed in a manner befitting the historical architecture of Moscow and the silhouette of the future Palace of Soviets. The buildings must be crowned with distinctive pinnacles and spires.

Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR I. Stalin

Note

This resolution launched the construction of what became known as the "Seven Sisters" — the seven Stalinist skyscrapers that define Moscow's skyline to this day. The eighth planned building (in Zaryadye) was never completed; after Stalin's death, the foundation was used for the Rossiya Hotel (since demolished). The tallest of the completed buildings is Moscow State University on the Lenin Hills (240 meters with the spire).