June 17, 2004
Russian palaces: back to the princelings
The St Petersburg city government has announced plans to privatise more than 2,000 listed buildings over the next few years, including several dozen important Czarist-era palaces. Several of Russia’s oil barons have already expressed strong interest in acquiring grand historic residences in the city. . .From the Art Newspaper.According to preliminary plans, the city plans to sell listed buildings for half their market value, but the new owners must agree to undertake full renovation in consultation with specialists from St Petersburg’s Landmarks Preservation Committee (KGIOP). The new owners of the listed buildings must also provide public access several times a year. . .
Privatisation may have already begun. Last month the local media revealed that Russia’s second richest man, oil magnate Roman Abramovich, who currently resides in England, is spending $5 to $10 million on renovations to the Tenishev Palace on the English Embankment, next to the State Historic Archives, which President Putin has taken over for his own administration.
Posted by David on June 17, 2004 11:22 PM
Dear David - The refurbishing of Russian palaces is encouraging news. An old branch of my family, Chapachincoff, came from this area. Another branch of my family was English, and my great-grandmother, a lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria, wore a pair of Pinchback bracelets that I now own. I think they belong in a museum, but I can not attract the attention of a museum who wants to buy them from me.--June
Posted by: June Latimer-Jackson on June 18, 2004 4:16 PM
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