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Most of his construction projects are related to his hometown of Dnipro, Ukraine. He wants to improve the city where he was born. This is the principle by which Vadym Iermolaiev lives and works as a businessman, Chairman of the Board of Alef Corporation and a well-known developer. A large-scale project was launched in Dnipro several years ago – the construction of the unique Ermolaev Center complex under his leadership. Even the war did not ruin the plans and work on the Alef Estate construction sites is still in full swing. The ambitious project has caused a wave of discussions among experts, it’s no secret. And the ordinary citizens of Dnipro are still in a state of eager anticipation of what the Ermolaev Center will bring to the city.
– Alef Estate has maintained its brand as a responsible and creative developer despite war and economic realities. How do you do that?
– It has always been my goal to take the construction industry in Dnipro to a new, higher level. And we have succussed in it. We are not just building a skyscraper, we are developing a city district, we are building a “city within a city”. On the one hand, this is the case when residential and commercial buildings, recreational areas, shops, cafes and office centers are united by a common architectural idea. On the other hand, our projects ensure that everything you need for work, life and leisure is within walking distance. Of course, we maintain the brand of Dnipro as a city of modern architecture, and our team uses a modern approach to construction. But at the same time, we are able to give a new lease of life to the historical monuments. Maintaining the balance between innovation and classics, comfort and practicality is the most important thing. That is how we manage to keep our complexes appealing even after decades.
– The construction of the multi-functional complex of the Ermolaev Center is under way in Dnipro. How are you going to manage to implement what you planned?
– I ask simple questions when we plan a new project: “How is this complex going to be better than the others? What will be its point of difference?” We can start implementation when I have clear answers. The Ermolaev Center is first and foremost about values, about the standard of living and about comfort. We looked at the Scandinavian countries. They are leaders in the quality of the urban environment. Every detail is important. We have created a modern and aesthetically pleasing facade and at the same time we have provided excellent thermal insulation. Durability and aesthetics were also the concept behind the choice of materials. We managed to create a cozy atmosphere thanks to the lighting.
– What does a modern client require of a developer?
– A laconic design, a high level of landscaping, high quality and durable materials. I would like to repeat that all of this is characteristic of the Scandinavian style. People’s needs change. Especially in recent times. Priorities have shifted due to the pandemic and the war. And the developer’s task is not only to implement the project in an architecturally competent manner. It is also to feel the potential residents and visitors of the complex in time.
– Now let’s discuss one of the most pressing issues facing this city of one million people. How did the Ermolaev Center solve the problem of parking space?
– In big cities the lack of parking is a pain. But putting up with this is not an option. We need to figure out how to make it work. And we did have a solution. The Ermolaev Center will have the largest mechanized parking in the Ukraine. The parking units are designed for the multi-level storage of cars in two or three rows. This principle will make it possible to place several times a greater number of cars on the available space.
– There is always something special about Alef Estate complexes. The lighting, the terraces, the recreational areas. What kind of surprises do you have in store for us this time?
– We care about the emotions of property owners and ordinary city dwellers, in addition to quality and innovation in construction. That is why the combination of modern architecture and art is at the center of our attention in every project. Ermolaev Center is not excluded from that. There will be chips, and everyone will have a chance to have a look at them. Let me explain a little bit: the authors of the Atlant sculpture, Mykyta and Yehor Zihura, are already working on a new composition for the Ermolaev Center. It will be called “Meeting”. It will be a sculpture of a man and a woman who are on the verge of a close encounter. I would like to emphasize that the place where these sculptures are going to be placed will be open to the general public.
Generally, I believe that Ermolaev Center will become a new city landmark. My opinion is shared by international experts – the project is a representative of Ukraine in the international arena and a winner of the European Property Awards 2021-2022. And this is, one could say, an Oscar in architecture.