“Etagi” means floors in Russian. Here at Loft Project Etagi, each floor offers a unique experience. This building was once a bread factory built in 1936. It survived the Soviet era. It closed in 2005. The Arkhipenko brothers bought it. They transformed it into a creative space. This was the first space of its kind in St. Petersburg.
Now, let’s step inside Etagi. The first floor is open. It has a food court. You can find vegan food, shawarma and Korean food here. Desserts and burgers are also available. Local vendors call out to you. They want you to try their food.
The basement houses the Pioneer DJ School. It mixes the old building with a new art form. You can take individual lessons. Online training is also an option.
Floors two and three sell unique Russian items. You can find used clothing stores here. They sell inexpensive items from different fashion periods. Shops also sell photography and paintings. You can even have your retina photographed and framed. Hookah and skincare shops share space.
The fourth floor is a traditional art gallery. It hosts temporary exhibitions by local artists. Lada Ulitina displayed her Dreams of Infinity exhibition here.
Let’s head to the fifth floor. Here, you will find the Green Room anti-cafe. You pay for time, not food. This concept was born in Russia. You can enjoy unlimited simple food and drinks. The Green Room is a great place to meet locals. It is a good spot to practice your Russian. A traditional food court is also on this floor. It has more seating than the first floor.
The roof offers amazing city views. It is one of Etagi’s highlights. You can stand 27 meters above the city. This is St. Petersburg’s second-highest open-air observation deck. Only St. Isaac’s Cathedral is higher. In summer, the roof hosts art shows. You can enjoy poetry readings and wine tastings here. Musical performances are also common.
The alleyway leading to the entrance is filled with shops. Small cafes are here too. A youthful Russian crowd welcomes you. The modern shops contrast the Soviet-style building. This mix of old and new is common here.
Capsule is a unique store in the alleyway. It sells Russian-made street clothing. It features the St. Petersburg brand MEDOOZA. MEDOOZA embraces freedom and creativity. It supports art and clothing made in Russia. The clothes are designed and produced in St. Petersburg.
Etagi supports the local community. It hosts events like the annual Spring Market. Here, you can buy handmade items. Etagi displays visual and verbal arts. Exhibitions change often. This keeps the space fresh. In 2018, Marina Koldobskaya painted a wall to music. The audience watched her Ladybug performance.
Etagi has grown since opening in 2007. In 2008, it hosted up to 15,000 people for exhibitions. The Arkhipenko brothers turned the factory into galleries and workshops. The logo was updated in 2018 to a pixelated design.
Etagi is more than a gallery. It is a cultural center. It holds film festivals and workshops. There are rooftop parties and pet adoption fairs. Etagi also has a container city. These containers house street food cafes and shops.
With over 3,000 square meters, Etagi is a city within a city. It has shops selling clothes and tobacco. You can find a hostel, a bar and beauty salons here. The summer terrace offers amazing views. You can relax on bean bags or enjoy the city views.
Come back to Etagi often. There is always something new happening here. The spirit of art fills every space. Etagi is a self-sustaining system for culture in St. Petersburg. It blends Soviet history with modern art. It has transformed Ligovsky Prospekt. It is a key part of global culture in St. Petersburg.