Kauchuk Factory Club (Moscow)

 club, interesting place, community centre / hall, concert hall, 1929_construction, constructivism, object of cultural heritage of regional importance (Russia)

Kauchuk Factory Club constructed in 1927-1929 is a public building designed by Konstantin Melnikov, located in Khamovniki District of Moscow on the edge of Devichye Pole park and medical campus at 64, Plyshikha Street.

Kauchuk rubber factory, originally based in Riga, relocated to Khamovniki in Moscow in 1915, threatened by German offensive, and was considerably expanded afterwards. Kauchuk club is shaped as a simple quarter of cylinder, housing a 800-seat theatre hall with two balcony levels. Today, its shape and size is concealed by poplar trees and a Chinese restaurant terrace attached to the facade.

In 2003, despite the federal protective listing, the City of Moscow placed the building on a condemned property list. As of March, 2007, preservationists succeeded to delay demolition. The building operates a night club and a restaurant, but the huge neon lettering that existed in 2003, has been removed. According to Russian press, the building is operated by Academy of Russian Art, established by pianist Nikolai Petrov and it is not clear who actually owns the building, the Academy or the city of Moscow.