Last week, media outlets reported on the demolition of Anhor Park in Tashkent. Renderings of a new project surfaced, indicating plans to construct a residential complex in place of the park.
Tenants of the shopping center within Anhor Park stated that they received notifications about the closure and must vacate their premises. Currently, all stores and retail outlets have ceased operations, with only a few food establishments still open in the food court area.
There have been no official statements from the park administration, city authorities, or the developer, and information regarding potential tenders and auctions for the shopping center territory has not been published.
Spot investigated the situation, gathered the park administration's stance, and spoke with tenants and activists who publicly advocated for the preservation of Anhor Park against the potential demolition.
When the park was opened
The construction of the park began in 2015 on the site of the former "A" territory of the TAPOiCh factory. The general designer was "Toshtemiryo'lloyiha," and the landowner became "Uzbekiston temir yo'llari."
The park occupies 8 hectares along the Anhor canal between Labzak and Zulfiya khonim streets in the Shaykhantahur district of Tashkent. The official opening took place in August 2016.
The park features attractions for both children and adults, playgrounds, a summer theater with 320 seats, fountains with musical and light displays, restaurants, and cafes.
Additionally, the park houses a three-story shopping and entertainment complex with go-karting, children's play areas, restaurants, and a cinema.
A shopping center with stores and a food court was built along the road. In 2020, a branch of the Makro supermarket chain opened there.
In February 2022, the park's territory was put up for auction with a starting price of 376.5 billion sums, marking the most expensive lot in E-auksion's history. However, the auction results were not announced.
Currently, the sole founder and owner of the park is the Agency for State Asset Management of Uzbekistan. The charter capital of the park is 205.3 billion sums.
The project design for the Anhor Park shopping center involved The Tower FMG, which was previously 100% owned by Golden House Property Group (now Unique Trade Business). The park administration stated that the shopping center building is currently also managed by The Tower FMG.
What happened
In 2023, the Golden House group of companies planned to build the Union residential complex near Anhor Park, by the waterfront. However, the project was later removed from social media, and advertising posters were taken down.
According to information received, the court suspended construction after a geological examination, deeming the land unsuitable due to its proximity to the river.
Previous development project of the Union residential complex by Golden House
In early February of this year, social media reported on the demolition of Anhor Park, along with photographs of a new project that resembles Union in style and housing layout. Later, a complete presentation of the new development, created by Golden House, was published in the media. However, Spot cannot verify the authenticity of the document.
According to the presentation, the project includes:
- residential buildings of business and premium class;
- a business center and shopping center;
- a sports complex with a pool;
- a conference center and aparthotel;
- walking areas and restaurants along the water;
- an artificial water body and a children's beach.
The project also plans to dismantle the park's attractions, but the territory of the "Navruz" ethnopark and the Ferris wheel will remain untouched.
New development project for the park. Developer unknown
As of today, the shopping center building along the main road in the park has nearly ceased operations. Stores for children's clothing, cosmetics, FixPrice, and the supermarket Makro have closed. Some restaurants in the food court have also shut down, although a few establishments are still accepting orders.
Tenants of the shopping center declined to comment on the basis for their closure or whether it is related to the demolition or the upcoming construction of the residential complex. None were able to specify who the developer of the new project is.
What the park administration and tenants say
The administration of Anhor Park stated in a comment to Spot that they had not been informed about the park's demolition.
"We found out about this from the media a few days ago. So far, the management and founders have not issued any notifications or orders regarding demolition or reconstruction. The shopping center is not our concern, so we cannot comment on the situation surrounding it," said a representative of Anhor Park.
The Chekhov Anhor fitness club, located in the shopping center building, confirmed the demolition information and announced its relocation. However, according to the company's comment, only the shopping center on the park's territory is planned for demolition.
"In connection with the upcoming reconstruction of Anhor Park and the demolition of the shopping center building where Chekhov Anhor was located, the club is moving to a new, more spacious location at the same site — to the building currently housing the go-karting center," the company informed Spot. "We were notified in advance about the upcoming demolition and managed to prepare. We have received all compensations stipulated in the lease agreement, and we were also offered a new space," added Chekhov.
Other tenants of the shopping center building, whom Spot's correspondent spoke with, declined to comment on the situation.
Spot also spoke with representatives of City Kids, a children's entertainment complex located in the go-karting center building in the park. Chief manager Alla Khojaeva shared that tenants are concerned about the potential demolition of the park, but the administration assured them that they would be able to continue operations for two years, and the go-karting center building would not be affected for now.
"It is still unclear what exactly will be built in place of the shopping center at the park entrance — a residential or business complex. We don't know how we will operate next to the construction site and whether we will truly be granted these two years," she said.
According to Khojaeva, indirect confirmation of the promises could be the renovation started on the third floor of the building where Chekhov Sport Club will relocate. Additionally, she mentioned that the Makro supermarket is set to move into the go-karting building.
"We have been operating in the park since January 2018, and of course, it would be a shame if it disappears," the manager added.
In the administration of Anhor Park, Spot was informed that some tenants of the shopping center are also considering relocating to the go-karting building.
"The food courts Belissimo and Street 77 are planning to relocate, while the Makro supermarket does not consider the possibility of continuing operations in the park. The go-karting center will remain open and continue to operate as usual," the administration noted.
Additionally, tenants operating in the go-karting building have been provided with leases until the end of the current year.
Why activists oppose the demolition
Eco-activists are against the development of Anhor Park, citing serious environmental and urban planning risks. They remind that the park was created on the territory of the former TAPOiCh factory, where remnants of industrial facilities, including a bomb shelter and fuel storage, still remain. In their view, the demolition of the park and subsequent construction on this site could pose dangers.
Furthermore, activists emphasize the park's significant role in the city's ecosystem.
Activists also recall that there were previous plans for development by Golden House in this area, but after conducting a geological examination, the court deemed the land unsuitable due to its proximity to the river. Despite this, land sales are currently ongoing, and the public is not receiving information about the results of tenders and the developer's plans.
They believe the city needs green spaces rather than new high-rise buildings. They point out that the tens of thousands of trees planted in the park since 2016 have turned it into a comfortable place for recreation