Property Committee Explains Suspension of Shopping Center Demolition
The St. Petersburg Property Control Committee commented on the situation with the unfinished demolition of the 'Maxi Sopot' shopping center near Primorskaya metro station, which has been criticized by deputies.
Jan 27, 2026 0
A view of the unfinished demolition site of the Maxi Sopot shopping center in St. Petersburg.
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The agency initiated forced demolition after the complex owner«s lease rights for the city land plot expired. »The tenant did not vacate the plot voluntarily, which forced the committee to start the forced demolition procedure,« stated the Property Control Committee (KCI).
The former tenant filed a lawsuit to have the committee«s actions declared illegal and obtained a temporary ban on continuing the work.
«The committee appealed to the court three times with reasoned petitions to lift the protective measures, pointing out that the pavilion»s emergency condition poses a threat to the life and health of citizens, and demolition is a necessary safety measure. Additionally, the committee filed a request to expedite the case review. However, the court denied all these petitions,« explained the committee.
The next court hearing is scheduled for 11 February 2026.
KCI noted that the owner does not dispute the termination of the lease agreement and can demolish the object on their own.
On 21 January, at a Legislative Assembly meeting, deputies sharply criticized the appearance of the area near Primorskaya metro station. Konstantin Chebykin stated that it looks «like after a bombing.» Speaker Alexander Belsky drew a parallel with the stall near Gostiny Dvor: «But you managed to demolish the building at Primorskaya and go to court. What did you want to achieve?»
Demolition of the four-story shopping center building, owned by entrepreneur Yakov Perkal-Provorny, began in summer 2025.
According to the committee, this part of the complex was documented as a one-story stall, and after the lease ended, the owner lost the right to occupy the land.
KCI emphasized the fundamental difference between the situation with «Maxi Sopot» and other objects. The land under this shopping center is city-owned, which gives the agency legal grounds for action. At the same time, the plot on Nevsky Prospekt, where the stall is located, belongs to a multi-apartment building, and decisions about it are made by the owners.
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