Not to be confused with the famous Hotel Ukraina in Moscow, Kiev's own version was in fact called Hotel Moskva until Ukrainian independence in 1991. A botched project, the Ukraina was originally designed to be a mighty skyscraper similar in structure to Stalin's Seven Sisters; and from its prominent position on Pechersk Plateau it was to be a rousing symbol of the city. However, in accordance with Khruschev's decree restricting the height of new buildings, five levels were ignominiously removed from the original architectural plans. Ironically Kruschev was to later comment of the demasculated hotel that the decree only applied to housing property. Ooops. Today the headless skyscraper of the Hotel Ukraine is a mid-range accommodation option with great views over Independence Square.
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