Thousands of residents in Moscow have rallied to protest the planned demolition of the Elektrozavod factory, an iconic neo-Gothic industrial complex in the city’s eastern district. The factory, which has stood for more than a century, was once a major production site for electrical devices during the Soviet era, including the lamps that illuminated the Kremlin’s red stars.

The site has been vacant since a fire early last year, and developers have proposed building residential flats on the land. The plans have sparked significant public opposition, with concerns raised about the loss of a historic landmark and the proliferation of new high-rise projects across the city.

Organizers of the protest, including Alya, said the threat of demolition prompted widespread outrage among locals. “There is a great deal of outrage because of these dull development projects and skyscrapers that are springing up everywhere,” Alya said, highlighting broader frustrations over urban changes in Moscow.

Efforts to protect Elektrozavod have gained momentum, with two separate petitions in support of preserving the factory collecting over 21,000 signatures combined. This public mobilization is notable given the growing risks associated with dissent in the city. Last week, a woman was detained for protesting against plans to remove heritage status from other significant landmarks.

The controversy surrounding Elektrozavod is part of a larger movement advocating for the preservation of Moscow’s historic sites after heritage protection laws were weakened in 2024. Historians and preservationists have warned that the factory’s demolition would erase an important piece of Soviet industrial history.

Inna Krylova, a historian specializing in Soviet architecture, described the factory as a “city unto itself” due to its vast scale and the thousands of workers it once employed. “It is still unclear what their intentions are,” Krylova said, emphasizing the uncertainty facing the site’s future.

As the debate unfolds, the Elektrozavod factory has become a focal point for those seeking to balance urban development with the preservation of cultural and historical identity in Moscow.