What Is Happening Now at the Site of the Former Almaty Presidential Residence

Orda.kz once again looked behind the fence of the long-awaited construction site in the city center.

Plans to build a park here were announced back in the spring of 2022, when it became clear that restoring the residence burned during Qantar would not be possible. Work only fully began in the spring of 2025.

In 2022, designers presented several options for the future park. Here are some of them.

Four months later, we decided to take another look at the future park. Its outlines are now clearer, and it seems it will not resemble the 2022 sketches.

Let’s look together at what is happening now at the long-awaited construction site, moving from south to north.

Further south, the changes are more noticeable. Where a fence and a wide concrete area stood in the spring, work is now underway. The concrete site is being covered, and a structure is being built there. 

Judging by the outlines, it can be assumed this might be a pergola — a light gazebo for shade that has become popular with architects and designers.

In addition, trees have been planted in the southeastern corner of the future park. In April, there were none.

In the very center of the park, a pool of unusual shape is visible. In the spring, only the concrete was poured. By September, it was already filled with water.

Judging by the color, one can assume the water came from the sky.

A network of pedestrian paths has already been laid around the pool, and an amphitheater descends to it from the south. This invites a joke about the amphitheater migrating here from the pond on the Terrenkur, which was repeatedly promised but never built.

The remains of a concrete structure can be seen northeast of the pool. Compared to April, its size has significantly decreased. It is likely to be completely demolished before the park opens.

Pipes for drip irrigation of trees are visible throughout the park. There are also many trees, visually more than in the spring.  But at the same time, some trees and bushes already have no leaves, which suggests they have dried out. 

What has remained unchanged is the helipad on the west side of the future park, framed by a lawn.

Judging by appearances, the helipad is in good condition.

For example, during fire drills at the Nurly Tau Business Center in June, it was used by Kazaviaspas helicopters.

As we reported earlier, the Almaty Akimat did not provide an exact completion date. The response we received in the spring was “this year.” Four months remain until the end of the year. We hope that in December we will be able to report not from behind the fence, but while walking through the park.

Original Author: Igor Ulitin