Zhytniy Market is preserved in Kyiv’s history: it has received a special status
16 September 2025 11:26
Zhytniy Market has been granted the protected status of a cultural heritage site. This was reported by the Department of Cultural Heritage Protection of the Kyiv City State Administration, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
The historic building of Zhytniy Market has been officially included in the list of cultural heritage sites. From now on, it is under state protection and protected from demolition.
Before the decision was made, experts conducted a detailed survey of the market, including underground premises, technical buildings and structures.
What does the new status change?
Zhytniy Market will remain in its place. Its architectural appearance will be preserved.
From now on, the issue of sale or further use of the premises can be considered exclusively by the deputies of the Kyiv City Council.
Read also: The possible price of repairing Zhytniy Market has been announced
The owner has no right to destroy the building or change its architectural appearance without the consent of the city authorities.
History of the struggle for preservation
In May-June 2024, Kyiv residents registered two electronic petitions demanding to preserve the Zhytniy Market as an architectural and historical value and prevent its privatization. Both petitions received the required number of votes, but the Kyiv City Council refused to support them, arguing that the final decision would depend on the opinion of the Department of Cultural Heritage Protection.
Earlier, the market building was put up for auction for the right to lease, which caused a public outcry. The initial price was UAH 2.47 million, and the lease agreement was to be signed for 15 years. Following the wave of criticism, the Kyiv City State Administration set up a working group to find ways to restore the market.
Read also: The housing market wants to live: Klitschko is summoned to talk about the fate of the building
What you need to know about Zhytniy Market
Zhytniy Market is one of the oldest and most famous markets in Kyiv, located in the heart of Podil. Its modern building was constructed in 1980 and is an iconic example of late Soviet modernist architecture. The market is known not only as a trading center, but also as a historical site, as it was here that bazaars existed since princely times – from the 11th century.
Current condition:
- The market building has been in a state of disrepair for a long time.
- No major repairs have been carried out since its opening.
- The condition of the roof, windows, and utilities is in disrepair.
- In 2022, the court banned the use of the premises due to the danger to visitors.
- Only about 30% of the outlets are occupied.
In 2021, the Zhytniy Market was leased to a private investor who undertook to carry out major repairs, but no obligations were clearly stated in the contract. But the tenant did not fulfill his promise and actually disappeared. The city tried to hold a new auction, but the public blocked it because of the threat of construction.
In April 2022, the tender for the lease of the market was won by Tangierin, a company owned by beer magnate Florian Bolen. The businessman planned to set up a food court and a beer pub on the second floor and pledged to reconstruct and overhaul the market. However, during the year of the contract, he not only failed to start the repairs, but did not even pay the rent properly, according to market representatives.
In July 2023, the Antimonopoly Committee opened a case against that tender, suspecting its participants of collusion and distortion of the auction result.
Businessman and restaurateur Yevhen Klopotenko was one of the initiators of a broad discussion about the future of the market. In October last year, the market hosted a brunch with businessmen, activists, urbanists, Podil residents, and Kyiv authorities. As part of the initiative, Klopotenko and his associates were preparing a development strategy for Zhytniy Market, according to which it should retain its uniqueness as a place to sell seasonal and local products and a point of attraction in Podil, rather than turn into another shopping mall.
Now that the market building has been granted a protected status, it has a chance to be preserved and restored.
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