“Familiya”—a fashion house with a black crown

“What kind of stylish house is this?” I asked the head of our St. Petersburg office as we got out of the taxi near “Neva House.”
— It’s “Familiya” by “Rosstroyinvest.”
— I want to take some pictures inside.

Half an hour later, we found ourselves in a large private courtyard. I took out my phone and started taking pictures.

The architecture of “Familiya” reminded me of the trendy London project “Chelsea Barracks” because of the combination of a graphite-dark “crown” with elegant light-colored stone.

This design technique, with a dark upper section, visually lightens the top floors and creates the effect of an architectural cut. The light, sand-colored building has a distinct upper boundary and does not blend into the sky, as is often the case with entirely light-colored facades.

A strict grid of facades, tall window openings, and carefully calibrated proportions. Vertical panels with geometric Art Deco-style ornamentation run between the windows.

In the center of the courtyard stands the sculptural composition “The Lion Family” by St. Petersburg sculptor Vladislav Manachinsky. A lion, a lioness, and two lion cubs symbolize strength, nobility, and family values.

This image was not chosen by chance for the project titled “Familiya”: in Latin, *familia* means “family” or “lineage.”

Residents enter through the grand lobby. The ceilings are nearly seven meters high. There is a grand staircase, just like in the lobby of a five-star hotel. A white grand piano and comfortable waiting areas.

The lobby bar is located on the top floor, where you can stop by in the morning for coffee, meet up with friends, or hold a business meeting without leaving the complex.

A square meter of concrete space costs ₽400–500k. Fully finished units range from ₽600k to ₽800k per square meter. The developer has only a few apartments left.

To my taste, the only letdown was the dreary, multicolored plastic playground in the courtyard. Otherwise, it’s a decent building.