Cheboksary

Russian Real Estate

The concrete monstrosity above is an apartment complex in "Novocheboksarsk", an industrial suburb of Cheboksary. During Soviet times architectural imagination was outlawed, overruled by diabolical logic and practicality. A planner's goal was to fit as many people into the smallest space possible, in the shortest amount of time. The social consequences of cramming thousands of poor people into a sardine box were ignored, leaving in its aftermath a concrete nest of savagery matched only by notorious South African "townships". Robbers, rapists, flashers, pick pockets and sunflower seed munching petty thugs lurk the anthill of damp passages and dark corners of its 70 plus floors, and 22 unit breadth. A solid steel door and daylight are cherished commodities for the honest, hard working minority trying to forge ahead in uncertain times.

Types of Russian Buildings:

Log Cabin
A 12x12 foot box constructed of pine. Even in major metropolis size cities, log cabins defiantly sit next to high rise tenements. They have no running water or gas hookup, and food is cooked on a fire stove, which generally burns old shoes and tires as wood is illegal to chop in this country of endless forest. The outside world of automobiles and concrete is dimly visible through two smudged windows.

Paneli (Pre-Fab High Rise)
The Soviet "super worker" was fabled to assemble 5,000 panels in one day but factory shortages and lack of transport left construction sites idle. Many of the high rise symbols of a futuristic society were built, though not nearly enough to provide for every family. Apartments in these buildings were designed for a young couples, but instead housed several generations, with head counts rivaling southern California's "drop houses". It is not unusual too see beds set up in both the kitchen and bathroom.

"Pre-Stalin"
Russians once laid brick with European quality until caravans of "super workers" flooded the country. When renting an apartment no unit is more sought after than one of Pre-Stalin construction. Many are willing to pay for the luxury of not having their building collapse on them while sleeping. A quiet night's rest is assured, as the two foot thick walls block out even the wildest rickety bed of your neighbors.

Khrushchovki (Khrushchov's Boxes)
These apartments are 15x15 foot boxes with sheet rock walls that section out into a kitchen, bathroom, and living room. Khrushchov pushed their construction to alleviate the housing shortage faced by low income families in the 1960s. Most middle and upper class Russian men rent a Krushchovka to meet with their lovers during lunch break. With thousands of men renting apartments that are used only an hour per day, supply has practically vanished since the economic reversal of 2001. These units are now priced out of reach for the poor workers they were intended for.