The authorities of Moscow want to return the historical sculpture of a 7-meter ballerina, which was topping the building on Tverskaya Street in the house 17 until 1958. But there is a nuance: the decisive word must come from the residents of the capital.
The house was built on Gorky Street, as it was then called Tverskaya, in 1939-1941. Architect - Arkady Mordvinov. The main facade of the building was decorated with archers, balconies and towers. A sculpture of a girl about seven meters high was installed on the corner tower-rotunda. Raised above her head, she held a sickle and hammer.
There are different versions of the girl’s appearance on the tower. One is related to the famous ballerina of the Bolshoy Theatre, Olga Lepeshina. The sculptor Georgy Motovilov was so inspired by her performances that he created a graceful female sculpture. Citizens called the sculpture a ballerina, and the building itself - "House under a skirt." In 1958 it was dismantled due to an emergency condition.
Today, 68 years later, the ballerina is contemplating returning to her historic place. If the townspeople approve of the idea, the sculpture will be made using modern technology and materials. They will ensure its preservation for many years. The "Active Citizen" project has already launched a vote on this matter.
House 17 on Tverskaya Street in Moscow is located at the corner of Tverskaya Street and Tver Boulevard (by Boulevard - House 28). It was erected on the site of the demolished temple of Dmitry Solonsky in 1933.
This is an eight-story brick house in the style of a Stalin empire. Its facade is richly decorated: symmetrical heralds, balconies, eastern type towers and a large arch-passage leading to the adjacent alley.
Information source "Rodina": https://rodina-history.ru/2026/07/17/7-metrovuiu-balerinu-iz-1958-go-hotiat-vernut-v-moskvu-no-est-niuans.html
Use of photo "Rodina": https://rodina-history.ru/2026/07/17/7-metrovuiu-balerinu-iz-1958-go-hotiat-vernut-v-moskvu-no-est-niuans.html