An entire town for millionaires is to be built on the outskirts of Moscow. It will be almost twice the size of Monaco, have a European-style citadel and house up to 30,000 of Russia’s new rich. Construction is due to begin next year.

The centre of Rublyovo-Arkhangelskoye will resemble pre-revolutionary Moscow, with narrow streets and canals clustered around the citadel, according to its architects, John Thompson and Partners.

“Our concept is a city with its own history, not an ordinary village with plots and buildings,” explains Viktor Novichkov, a director of the project. “We are trying to make it in the architectural style of old European cities like Prague, Amsterdam and Munich.”

Prices are expected to range from $500,000 for an apartment to several million for a townhouse or villa. Most Russians live on an average monthly income of $244, but the country’s wealthy elite is growing ever richer thanks to an oil-fuelled economic boom.

Rublyovo-Arkhangelskoye will be a self-sufficient community that will eventually be granted official town status. The town will have its own police station, fire department, health centre and schools. One day it may even have its own mayor. Until then it is not clear how the authorities will administer the town.

Via The Times.