The project of the construction of Okhta Center was relocated from Krasnogvardeysky district of Saint Petersburg to Primorsky district but in any case it has given an impetus to the development of the surrounding area. It was advised today on the 31st October by the representatives of development companies operating in Krasnogvardeysky district of the city.

Nowadays opposite the Smolny there is a long dark blue fencing behind which there is a large site where previously the construction of Okhta Center, Gazprom owned public and business complex was planned.

There will be no direct sale of the site on Okhta where Gazprom Neft headquarters was to have been built. It was advised by Social and Business Center Okhta CJSC Executive Director Alexander Bobkov, according to Balt Info reporter from Lenexpo.

UNESCO does not worry any more about the state of cultural property in Saint Petersburg because of the construction of Okhta Center Tower and now it is determining the boundaries and buffer zones around the cultural heritage property, according to Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Center Kishor Rao.

At Petersburg Forum of UNESCO/ICOMOS Experts Head of the Committee for State Control, Use and Protection of Historical and Cultural Landmarks pointed out that the most significant step in the protection of the cultural property has been the decision to relocate Okhta Center to Lakhta.

Due to the revision of the parameters of the investment project which was expected to be implemented on Okhta promontory all the works were suspended as early as in December 2010.

The Smolny and Gazprom are discussing a comprehensive development of the territory in Primorsky district where Gazprom has already bought 14 hectares. Adjoining sites are offered to the gas monopoly as well.

According to a conclusion issued by the Committee for State Control, Use and Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments the site located at the address: Saint Petersburg, 2 Lakhtinsky avenue, Block 3, Lit.A does not belong to the category of historical and cultural lands and is located outside the areas of the protection of cultural heritage property.

The decision to relocate Okhta Center to Lakhta taken in March has intensified a discussion on the fate of Okhta area which was earlier designated for the project implementation.