Vertical

Brief Information

“Vertical” is arranged like a building with two different characters: the low retail section handles everyday functions, while a 20-story office tower rises above it. As a result, the center stands out not only because of its height, but also because of the break in its form: the broad stylobate and the vertical office section work as different levels of a single complex.

The building stands at the intersection of Moskovskoye Highway and Proletarskaya Street, next to Moskovskaya metro station, at the junction of three districts of Samara. Construction was completed at the end of 2008, and the office section opened before the retail one: the retail block did not begin operating until May 2011. This delay helps explain the mixed nature of the complex: it does not look like a pure tower or an ordinary shopping center, but combines offices, shops, a cinema center, and service infrastructure.

What to notice first

It makes sense to compare the three parts of the building: the stylobate, the tower, and the upper “crown.” The stylobate section includes 7 above-ground and 2 underground floors and was intended for a retail complex, so it is perceived as a base with a large functional load. Above it is the 20-story office section: this is what makes the name “Vertical” literal, rather than just a brand.

A separate clue for reading the building is its technical floors. The source text names the 6th, 16th, and 27th floors: they are needed for the operation of the complex, not for visitor or office spaces. This inserted engineering logic shows that the building’s height is supported here by hidden service levels. Two more visible details shape the building’s image: the “crown” completes the high-rise section, while the futuristic cladding of the stylobate emphasizes the difference between the retail base and the office tower.