Valley in the City

An ecosystem designed to reignite Kyiv’s strong entrepreneurial culture and drive a resilient, sustainable future.

Olimpia Square

Cities and PlacesUnbuilt

EU

Olimpia Square forms the nucleus of a new, sustainable centre of Kyiv. Anchored by two towers of 20 and 21 storeys, the development is united by a continuous public connection at the second level. This forms a raised spine that shapes the square and actively integrates surrounding landmarks, including the historic Operetta Theatre and the Holy Trinity Church, into the heart of the project.

Project details

The adjacent stadium played a defining role in the evolution of the scheme. Previous development on the site was halted mid-construction due to unresolved stadium evacuation issues – a challenge that became a central driver in the conception of Olimpia. We worked extensively with Momentum Transport Consultancy to model and resolve stadium escape routing, directly informing the massing and layout of the public realm. In particular, parts of the public realm are elevated to the first floor to support safe, clear evacuation paths.

A diagonal pedestrian desire line combined with the metro at the south western corner naturally channels movement across the site, converging in the square. The stadium itself becomes a strong activator of the site, contributing to footfall and vibrancy, especially during events.

Alongisde its urban role, Olimpia is a platform for regeneration. The building next to the Operetta will house flexible public exhibition halls, with co-working and incubator spaces above, forming a ‘landing pad’ for companies and entrepreneurs arriving at and returning to the city. The hotel and serviced apartment tower on the south-eastern corner enables short-term stays close to the workplace, while the office tower in the north-east offers ample space for businesses to grow and prosper.

Olimpia is more than a place, it’s an ecosystem designed to reignite Kyiv’s strong entrepreneurial culture and drive a resilient, sustainable future.

Location
Kyiv, Ukraine
Client
Smart Urban
Scale
100,000sqm
Status
Concept Design
Scope
Masterplanning
Architecture
Collaborators
Momentum Transport
Consultancy