At Ulitsa Krasnogo Kursanta, 25, the Red Banner Textile Factory is an industrial complex designed by Erich Mendelsohn. Its brick and concrete forms, long horizontal windows and ship-like outline make the exterior the main reason to stop. Built between 1926 and 1937, it is a landmark of Soviet-era architecture and urban planning. Interior access is not available, so plan this as an outdoor architecture visit; look closely at the factory’s strong lines and the contrast between its weighty structure and elegant profile.
Design and construction
Erich Mendelsohn designed the Red Banner Textile Factory in Leningrad, now St Petersburg. Construction took place from 1926 to 1937. The complex combines brick and concrete in a forceful industrial composition, with a profile that has been likened to a ship.
The factory was later partly redesigned by S. O. Ovsyannikov, E. A. Tretyakov and Hyppolit Pretreaus, the project’s senior architect. The building is associated with Mendelsohn’s expressionist and functionalist work.
What you can see today
The factory is now visited as an architectural and urban-planning monument. Restoration work has been carried out on its exterior, but visitors cannot freely explore the inside. The courtyard has also been noted for an abandoned Second World War monument; access to the courtyard is not confirmed, so do not count on seeing it.
FAQ
Can you go inside the Red Banner Factory?
Interior access is not available for a regular visit. Check for guided tours or special access arrangements before you go.
Who designed the Red Banner Textile Factory?
Erich Mendelsohn designed the factory. S. O. Ovsyannikov, E. A. Tretyakov and Hyppolit Pretreaus later took part in its redesign.
When was the Red Banner Factory built?
Construction took place from 1926 to 1937.
Where is the Red Banner Factory?
It is at Ulitsa Krasnogo Kursanta, 25, in St Petersburg.
