The First Studio in St. Petersburg’s House of Radio is undergoing restoration as part of VTB’s “Cultural Country” program, aiming to revive the historical space into a multifunctional hall. Upon completion, the hall will feature 156 seats and modern stage equipment, adapting it for various performance scenarios.

The restoration project seeks to preserve the unique historical atmosphere of the First Studio while adapting it to meet the demands of a world-class concert venue. The updated space will include a bleacher seating system, a mobile stage, advanced media equipment, and a full-fledged sound recording room.

Originally built as a theater hall for the Noble Assembly in the early 20th century, the space never hosted performances due to the onset of World War I. Instead, it served as a hospital and later a cinema called “Colossus,” featuring a unique iron curtain for fire safety.

In 1933, the building was transferred to the Leningrad Committee for Radio Broadcasting, transforming the theater hall into the First Studio. Acoustic screens were installed, and the space underwent reconstruction in 1947 to meet the acoustic requirements of radio broadcasting.

The restoration will carefully restore the historical interiors of the theater hall, including stucco decorations and chandeliers, while integrating modern equipment and acoustic systems. The project aims to create a comfortable, multifunctional, and technically advanced hall that can host live concerts, performances, and high-quality sound recordings.