ACADEMIA has been nominated for the National LIRA Award for its contribution to the preservation of cultural heritage sites.

The ACADEMIA group of companies has been included among the nominees for the National Award in the field of regional investment development, “Leaders of Investment Development” (LIRA). The initiative to nominate the brand in the special category “For Contribution to the Preservation of Cultural Heritage Sites” was undertaken by the St. Petersburg State Budgetary Institution “Investment Management,” which is subordinate to the Investment Committee of St. Petersburg. This is the first time the award has recognized investment projects in this category, which indicates growing attention to the preservation of the historical environment and monuments through the mechanism of private investment.

As part of the application, two St. Petersburg projects are presented to the expert jury, demonstrating a successful model for adapting historical buildings: ACADEMIA Shuvalov Mansion and ACADEMIA Mansion on the Fontanka. 

ACADEMIA Shuvalov Mansion is an already completed project for a four‑star hotel. Opened in the summer of 2024, it is the result of large‑scale work to adapt a cultural heritage site of regional significance from the 19th century. The project contributed to the creation of about 100 jobs. The key feature of the hotel is its historical conceptual design. The facility also sets new standards for hospitality in St. Petersburg, being the first to receive Roskachestvo certification under the Pet Friendly standard.

 ACADEMIA The mansion on the Fontanka is a project in a high stage of completion. It is a monument of regional significance, built at the turn of the 18th–19th centuries, which has endured a period of prolonged neglect and is now preparing to open as a premium five‑star hotel. Its distinctive features will be rooms with views of the Fontanka and a restaurant with a view.

Both projects of the ACADEMIA Group fully align with the goals of the federal program for the preservation of cultural heritage sites for the period 2025–2045 and the objectives of the “10 Priorities for the Development of St. Petersburg” program.

The results of the Award will be announced at the end of 2026 at the solemn award ceremony.

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The National “LIRA” Award has been held by the National Association of Investment and Development Agencies since 2023. The jury is chaired by Alexander Shokhin, President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. The expert council includes representatives from the Government of Russia, the Ministry of Economic Development, VEB.RF, ASI, and leading business associations.

In 2025, 224 applications were submitted for the Award across 10 categories from 61 regions of Russia, and a detailed assessment of 85 investment portals of Russian regions was carried out.

The ACADEMIA group of companies is an official partner of St. Petersburg in the field of adapting cultural heritage sites for modern use and is a laureate of the St. Petersburg Government’s honorary award “Investor of the Year‑2025”.