This master planning project commissioned by BASE-MK sought to create a major new destination in Central Almaty. The site forms the western edge of the Republic Square, which when first created was twice the size of Red Square, Moscow. It has since been reduced with parkland to the south. The study area included the existing Intercontinental Hotel and this informed the phased development of the site. The infrastructure approach was to imagine the site’s lowest level as if it were a street structure. This would enable not only a phased development, but also the ability to clearly ‘parcel’ up development sites.  A sensational covered multi –level central landscape surrounded by shops, restaurants and leisure destinations formed the heart of the project.