A residential pocket in Novokuznetsk's center: life in the high-rises near the 'hangars'

In Novokuznetsk, there is an area that has managed to combine seemingly incompatible concepts: modern housing near the city center and, simultaneously, peace and quiet. NGS42.RU correspondent Igor Epifantsev found out how this became possible and what life is like for the people who live here.

Until roughly the mid-2000s, the site at the intersection of Tolyatti and Transportnaya streets in Novokuznetsk was occupied mainly by trade pavilions and warehouses. Then the authorities approved the creation of a new residential complex there, and entrepreneurs had to look for another location.

Construction of four 16-story buildings soon began on the cleared land. The first two were completed in 2008, the remaining ones in 2012 and 2014.

The developer of the residential complex was the company Vostokgidrospetsstroy (VGSS). As of 2026, it operates in Novokuznetsk under the legal entity Trust VGSS LLC and is primarily engaged in road construction. For 2024, the organization reported revenue of 271.9 million rubles (about $3.1 million at current rates) and net profit of 8.9 million rubles (about $101,000). The founder of the company is Vadim Kuzmin, who also owns the asphalt product manufacturing firm Asfalt-NK LLC.

The creators of the residential complex named it «Scarlet Sail,» but the name never really caught on. Perhaps because it wasn«t incorporated into the buildings» facades in any way. To this day, the name is far more associated with the eponymous Novokuznetsk social rehabilitation center for children and adolescents. As a result, for some townspeople, the buildings simply became known as the high-rises near the «hangars.»

The «hangar» is an unofficial name for Sports School No. 6, located next to the residential complex, due to its external resemblance.

Of the four buildings in the complex, two have separate addresses (Transportnaya St., 93a and 93b), and the other two share a common address (Tolyatti St., 5b). Notably, all the buildings have different management companies.

The standalone buildings have 82 apartments each, and the conjoined one has 151. Most of them are occupied. In January, six listings for housing at these addresses can be found on specialized websites.

On average, the cost per square meter is 140,000–145,000 rubles (about $1,600–$1,700 at current rates). For example, the owner priced a one-room apartment of 52 square meters at 7.5 million rubles (about $85,200), and a three-room apartment of 98 square meters at 13.5 million rubles (about $153,400).

An apartment of the same size with basic finishing and furniture is offered for 9.8 million rubles, or 100,000 rubles (about $1,100) per square meter. A more lavishly decorated three-room apartment was listed for 15.2 million rubles, or 159,000 rubles (about $1,800) per square meter.

«We bought housing here more than 10 years ago when a square meter cost about 40,000 rubles,» a local resident named Ksenia told us. «We liked the location — it»s near the city center (a 10-minute drive) and yet slightly set apart from it, which means less bustle and noise. The apartment is good, warm, no drafts. We bought all the essential furniture and appliances in the first two years and periodically add to or update things as needed. The only thing missing, perhaps, is a pleasant view from the window — there«s not much to admire here.»

The courtyard between the high-rises is essentially a large parking lot. For children, only a small playground was installed, and that«s it.

For walks, locals go to the Manev Square across the road, which underwent major renovations in 2024. However, they complain that, aside from walking paths and benches, there«s almost nothing there.

Several commercial establishments operate on the first floors of the buildings. By taking the elevator down, residents can visit private clinics, beauty studios, gyms, and other facilities. Delivery points for online marketplaces are also located here.

Within a hundred meters are the Admiral shopping center with a grocery supermarket and a cafe, a sporting goods store, and a gas station.

Near the residential complex, there is a school and two kindergartens; within a half-kilometer radius, there are several more. Slightly further away are clinics for children and adults, bank branches, auto repair shops, and a railway station from which one can take a train in one direction to the West Siberian Metallurgical Plant (ZSMK) and in the other to the main railway station.

At the nearest Sports School No. 6 (the very «hangars»), children have access to sections for several types of martial arts and rhythmic gymnastics. Additionally, there are private fitness, ballet, and stretching studios operating nearby.

«The area is generally not bad, and the building suits me too,» shared Novokuznetsk resident Boris. «Yes, sometimes there are problems, like the water being cut off and then running somewhat dirty for a while, but I think no one is immune from that sort of thing. They usually fix things promptly. It»s a bit inconvenient that bus routes don«t run directly past us. I don»t have a car, and to go anywhere, I have to walk about 500 meters to the nearest stop on Druzhby [Avenue], and when returning — another 500 meters. It«s especially unpleasant in winter.»

The residents we spoke with also wished for more cafes and restaurants to operate near the residential complex.

Car owners additionally complain about the cameras installed at the intersection of Tolyatti and Transportnaya streets — they say they have received fines more than once, which in their opinion are not always fair. Drivers believe the traffic enforcement camera systems should be turned off or reconfigured so they don«t react to minor infractions like crossing stop lines.

What else to read

Earlier, NGS42.RU wrote about the «Planeta» residential complex under construction in Novokuznetsk. Its first buildings have already been completed and are being actively occupied.

We also reported on the Novokuznetsk twin towers and what life is like there. For a long time, the buildings were one of the city«s most famous long-term construction projects.