Palace of the Soviets, by Boris Iofan,Vladimir Shchuko and Vladimir Gelfreikh, 1933 (never completed to the original drawings).

Palace of the Soviets, by Boris Iofan,Vladimir Shchuko and Vladimir Gelfreikh, 1933 (never completed to the original drawings).

Palace of the Soviets

The architectural contest for the Palace of the Soviets (1931–1933) was won by Boris Iofan's neoclassical concept, subsequently revised by Iofan, Vladimir Shchuko and Vladimir Gelfreikh into a skyscraper. If built, it would have become the world's tallest structure of its time. Construction started in 1937. The competition had captured the imagination of the world, and was broadcast internationally. To make way, the Christ the Savior Cathedral was demolished, (see video link below for rare footage of it's demolition). However, with WWII underway, the project was postponed and eventually was never completed to the grandeur the original drawings showed.

http://architectuul.com/architecture/palace-of-the-soviets

Video of Destruction of the Christ the Savior Cathedral to make room for the Palace of the Soviets, 1931
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFlx55OANg8