The city we will leave to our children

— The resort is part of my DNA, as is the profession of a builder. The sea, mountains, parks, embankments—everything is native. I’ve lived this city since childhood, its mood, its rhythm. And the construction industry has always been present in my life—you could say I grew up on construction sites.

Memory of the past is the foundation upon which we build today. Everything we do must be harmoniously integrated into the environment. It is important to me that every detail embodies the Sochi character—natural, architectural, cultural. We do not introduce the foreign; we reveal what is already inherent in the city.

— The imperial resort is the beginning, the foundation, the style that shaped the city’s image. But it’s important not to freeze in the past, but to develop this line with respect and freedom. We are creating a new spirit of the times, carefully working with every layer of history. Architecture, hospitality, subtropical greenery, atmosphere—everything should sound modern, yet in a familiar tone.

— Exactly. I grew up accustomed to classic style. I went to school in a suit, with a tie, in an overcoat and scarf. I carried a briefcase like an adult. Sometimes teachers gave me good grades just for my appearance. I think it was respect for the fact that I respected them. After school, I would come to the workshop and observe the process: how the masters bent over the fabrics, how steam rose from the iron, how chalk transformed into cutting lines. I saw how every stitch demanded attention, and how any mistake was immediately visible. This shaped my understanding of precision and responsibility.

—Once upon a time, the "Caucasian Riviera" was a place where Chaliapin, Mayakovsky, Ilf, and Petrov vacationed. After the 90s, the hotel disappeared, but the demand for a resort of this caliber remained, especially today, when domestic tourism is at its peak. After twenty years of neglect, we are giving this historic location a new life.

— We are not just building bridges. "Magic Leaf" is an engineering poem of metal, stone, and light. It connects the banks and, at the same time, connects Sochi’s past and future. Its form is inspired by an autumn leaf: a frame made of curved steel tubes, 50 meters in length, 7 meters in height, and weighing 300 tons. The stem is made of Brazilian granite, the steps of Siberian granite, which is translucent and integrated into the evening lighting. This bridge is a declaration of love to Sochi. We opened it on May 31, City Day, exactly one hundred years after Sochi received its status as a resort.

— Design should emphasize nature. We preserve mature trees, complement them with local plants—palms, jasmine, oleanders. Architectural forms and lighting are integrated in a way that enhances the natural beauty.

— Love and knowledge of the city’s history. Projects should integrate into the environment, highlighting its strengths, using local materials and references to heritage.

— Crucial. We start by surveying citizens, visitors, and the professional community. Only this way can we create a space that works for everyone.

— My home is Sochi. It’s the morning on an empty embankment, a step on a new bridge, a glance at a construction site. Here, energy and tranquility merge.

— Love and respect for the place where they were born and are growing up. A sense of roots, the courage to be themselves, and a responsibility for their city. I want them not to fear difficulties and to know how to fidget without losing attention to details, while still seeing the bigger picture.

— I don’t divide them. It’s the scale of a single task—to create spaces with a foundation. Family is the foundation, the company is the zone of responsibility, parliamentary work is the point of interaction. Balance is an internal structure where there is room for strength, softness, decision-making, and trust.

Author: Oksana Ermolaeva

— Literature comes alive when it ceases to be a museum relic. In "Stereo" Square, we wove Ostrovsky’s words into the fabric of the space. Brass plaques with quotes, surrounded by roses, have become part of the urban atmosphere.

Lotte is a global symbol of service, and the designers S+S harmoniously combined cinematic modernism with subtropical Sochi. The result is an elegant low-rise hotel on the Black Sea coast, organically integrated into the landscape. Inside, you will find bespoke interiors, a wellness area, an infinity pool, and restaurants with panoramic views.