Hotel Salyut

Have you ever dreamed of living in a spaceship? Then check out our Hotel Salyut! This building in Kyiv is one of the most vivid examples of Soviet modernism, a futuristic construction reflecting the spirit of spaceships.

Most interestingly, we believe this hotel is a stunning visual example of the conflict between creative thought and Soviet bureaucracy - read on for the story!

The Salyut Hotel was built in 1984, and is located in Slava Square on a hill on the right bank of the Dnipro River. The structure consists of a tub-shaped body with rooms hanging over the space of Slava Square, surrounded by balconies and completed by a small superstructure, and a stylobate extending towards the Dnipro.

The hotel is not without some controversy. The complex's original design employed many creative architectural concepts, and it was designed to be one of Kyiv's architecturally finest skyscrapers. The project was ambitious and received great support from the Soviet party leadership. However, it seems that the architects were reluctant to give undue design credit to some party leadership, as a result of which the funding & approvals for the building were curtailed. The initial design of the hotel was reduced from 18 to just 8 floors ostensibly so as not to impair the Kyiv skyline. This, along with funding decreases, forced the architects to make many design compromises, and which ultimately made the hotel less commercially viable. 

Hotel Salyut remains one of the most awkward and interesting buildings for Kyiv citizens and visitors. Show your support for freedom of thought & creative expression by displaying this model in your office or home!