The architectural monument “Flying Saucer” near the Lybidskaya metro station will retain its authenticity and function next to the shopping and entertainment center.

The State Inspectorate of Architecture and Urban Planning of Ukraine (DIAM) has granted permission for a project to reconstruct facilities near the Ocean Mall shopping and entertainment center while preserving a unique structure – the Flying Saucer building near the Lybidska metro station. This was reported on the official DIAM Facebook page.

“The architectural landmark “Flying Saucer” on Lybidskaya in Kyiv will retain its authenticity and function next to the shopping center project… completely preserved without changing the main facade, the compositional volume of three different large forms, the lens-shaped volume according to the planning scheme and the functional purpose of the cinema lecture hall, which is the main subject security,” the message says.

Several buildings along the monument, historically attached to it, are adjacent and located nearby and are not objects of cultural heritage; according to the project, they will be combined into one building.

“This will create an internal ensemble through the development of internal space,” DIAM added.

The State Inspectorate of Architecture also reported that Prospekt LLC received permission for the reconstruction.

“The customer (Prospekt LLC) contacted DIAM at the beginning of 2022 to obtain permission and carry out such work. Then he received a refusal due to significant comments… In the end, all the shortcomings were eliminated, the customer received the necessary approvals, brought the documents into compliance and applied again for a permit, which was issued by DIAM inspectors,” the State Inspectorate reported.

It is known that after reconstruction, the total area of the Ocean Mall shopping center will be 184,000 square meters and will include a large entertainment center for children, cinemas and about 400 boutiques.

The house of the Ukrainian Institute of Scientific and Technical Expertise and Information (UkrINTEI), popularly known as the “Flying Saucer”, was built in the style of Soviet architectural modernism in 1978. The building was designed by architect Florian Yuriev, known in particular as the creator of the coat of arms of Kyiv during Soviet times. The architect planned to create a light and music center inside the dish, since the shape was ideal for the acoustics of the theater. However, the result was a cinema hall with Soviet frescoes.

Recently, the room has occasionally been used as a concert hall. In 2020, the building was included in the list of cultural heritage sites in Kyiv.