The historic Central Telegraph building is being transformed into the future campus of Central University, opening in 2027 — exactly 100 years after its completion.

Central University is a type of university built around the STEM approach (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). It was created in partnership with over 50 major Russian companies and organizations, including the Central Bank of Russia, Sber, Avito, VK, Norilsk Nickel, Yandex, Rosatom, Sibur, T-Bank, Yadro, X5 Group, and many others.

The university will occupy the former Central Telegraph — a designated cultural heritage site. The building was acquired from developer VOS'HOD, who remains responsible for its revitalization based on a concept by David Chipperfield. ABD architects developed the interior design.

A new public square will be created along Tverskaya Street, with access to a two-level underground parking facility.

Total site area, including parking: approximately ≈ 70,000 m².

In 1791, Empress Catherine the Great gifted this land to Moscow University; it housed the university printing press, and the lane later became Gazetny.

In 1925 it was decided to build the Central Telegraph with radio node and long-distance telephone exchange. Designed by architect Ivan Rerberg, construction finished in 1927 and contributing to the transformation of Tverskaya Street.

The famous metal globe on the facade was meant to rotate but the mechanism failed and was stopped. The distinctive clock dial was once among the most accurate in the country — serving as the reference time source for telegraph networks nationwide, including the Kremlin.

This landmark of Soviet Art Deco symbolizes technological progress and communication. Many historical references appear in the new university interiors.

At the outset of the project, ABD architects studied global examples of transforming historic buildings into educational spaces — exploring architectural strategies, spatial scenarios, and ways of integrating new functions into heritage contexts.

A key decision was to preserve the original structures. As a designated cultural heritage site, significant portions of the building are being restored. In the former operating hall, now repurposed as the canteen, historic decorative finishes are being carefully revived, revealing layers from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1960s.

To create a dialogue between past and present, the design employs clean lines, a restrained palette of neutral tones, clear glass, and minimalist lighting, reinforcing a sense of openness.

ABD architects also developed a system of visual references inspired by the history of the telegraph: the globe with meridians and parallels, Morse code signals, punched tape, modular grids, envelopes, mailboxes, card catalogues, telegram syntax, typewriter keys, clock dials, and connection nodes.

At the same time, the university integrates a wide range of contemporary facilities, including lecture halls, a conference hall, recreation areas, laboratories and workshops, a science center, open administrative offices, a career center, a print hub, a student cinema, a podcast studio, cloakrooms, a kitchen, a gym, and a sports hall.

Each space incorporates subtle references to the building’s past.

In the university canteen, columns are wrapped in a luminous lattice structure that runs through the space like a portal — a spatial gesture that reflects the building’s original function as a hub of connection, now linking past, present, and future.

The globe, positioned within the exterior wall above the main historic entrance, becomes part of the interior. Currently under restoration, it will return to its original location — this time operating as originally intended by the architect.

Lecture halls echo the regular rectangular grid of the facade.

In the library, a circular reception desk is complemented by radiating pathways that reference the geometry of a clock face.

Recreation areas feature tubular lighting elements inspired by pneumatic post systems, bending and looping to provide additional illumination where needed.

The podcast studio is located within the former radio studio, preserving the continuity of the building’s original program.