Zhytniy Market Designated as Cultural Heritage Site in Kyiv
On Wednesday, July 30, Zhytniy Market located in Podil was added to the list of "recently identified cultural heritage sites of Kyiv." The order for this designation was signed by Marina Solovyova, the director of the Department of Cultural Heritage Protection.
This information was reported on the KCSA website.
Solovyova emphasized that this decision was made possible due to the efforts of activists, city heritage protectors, and the professional heritage protection team from the Department of Cultural Heritage Protection.
From now on, Zhytniy Market will be subject to the provisions of the Law of Ukraine on Cultural Heritage Protection and the protective measures established by legislation.
Saving Zhytniy Market
In 2025, Zhytniy Market will celebrate its 45th anniversary, and over the years, there have been numerous proposals for its demolition or reconstruction. In January of this year, a draft decision was registered in the Kyiv City Council proposing the sale of Zhytniy Market.
According to Hennadiy Kryvoshey, chairman of the Public Council at the KCSA, the market's management has led it to financial losses over the past 15 years, and now, during wartime, they plan to sell it at a reduced price. Currently, this historical site requires major repairs, after which it could generate profit for the city.
For the past year, the fate of Zhytniy Market has been contested by two parties: restaurateur Yevhen Klopotenko and the investment company Inzhur.
As reported by the publication "Khmarochos," Yevhen proposes granting the market the status of an architectural heritage site to protect it from demolition. He suggests creating a public organization that would involve experts and public figures with the necessary experience and commitment to restoring Zhytniy Market.
Yevhen proposes to carry out repairs in stages without closing the building for extended periods, using the premises for their intended purposes while continuing renovation work.
The company Inzhur has invested over 100,000 euros of its own funds, reaching out to the international consulting firm Colliers, which helped formulate a revitalization concept and business model for the market. According to Inzhur’s project, the building's exterior will be preserved, but modern and energy-efficient materials will be used in the renovation.
