Russian court orders demolition of Vladivostok's beloved wellness center over permit violations
A court in Russia’s Primorsky Territory has ordered the demolition of a popular aquatic and wellness centre in Vladivostok. The ruling, issued on 7 May 2023, declares the GorodOK complex illegal and requires its owner to dismantle it at her own cost. Officials argued the building violated land-use regulations and lacked proper permits.
The Primorsky Territory Commercial Court found that the GorodOK complex was constructed without a building permit or a commissioning certificate. Owner Zanna Vasilenko, an individual entrepreneur, had leased a 247-square-metre plot at 4B Vatutin Street from 2007 to 2014 for a temporary store. However, the land was never approved for a large wellness facility.
Geodetic surveys later revealed that the complex extended beyond the leased area. Another 597 square metres occupied land with unclear state ownership, never recorded in Russia’s official real estate register. The court ruled that these discrepancies, combined with the lack of permits, made the entire structure unauthorised. The lawsuit was brought by Vladivostok’s city administration, its urban planning department, and its municipal property office. All claims were upheld in full, leading to the demolition order against Vasilenko.
The decision means Vasilenko must now dismantle the GorodOK complex herself. The case highlights the risks of building without proper land-use approvals or permits. City officials will oversee the demolition to ensure compliance with the court’s ruling.
