In 2010, Millhouse, a company owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, won the competition to reconstruct and repurpose the island for public use. The project was supervised by Darya Zhukova, Abramovich's wife and founder of the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in Moscow. From 2011 to 2013, the park operated in a test mode during summers only and on August 27, 2016 it reopened to the public after three years of reconstruction.
John Mann, a spokesman for Millhouse, stated that the investors involved in the project allocated 6 billion rubles ($92 million) with plans to complete the facilities by 2025.
In August 2016, the first phase of the project launched. This includes the landscaping of park areas, featuring temporary pavilions along with a system of engineering solutions and networks necessary for the implementation of the project. In 2016 and 2017, these buildings will be joined by The Foundry, The Bottle and The Commandant's House. For the very first time in the island's entire existence, the territory is open to the public all year long, including the winter season.
The total area of the New Holland is 7.8 hectares. Special attention was paid to the landscaping and greenery of the area, which measures 2.2 hectares in total. The Dutch firm WEST 8 oversaw these plans, which included the purchase from European nurseries of 200 full-grown trees, planted according to special technology that facilitates transportation.
Today, the island features a wooden playground for children in the form of a historic frigate called Peter and Paul. Adults can enjoy the exhibition Experiences of the Imaginary containing works by contemporary artists. They have been selected by Zhukova's Garage Museum and are on display in a pavilion until September 25.
Work will continue on the renovation of the large historic complex of former warehouses, which are scheduled to be fully restored and ready for use by 2025.
The island of New Holland is one of Saint Petersburg's most important historical monuments. Founded by Peter the Great in 1719 – the Island has been witness to every major milestone in the history of this Northern Capital. However, the admission of common people was only permitted beginning in 2011. Over the course of the last three centuries naval forces have kept the island away from prying eyes.
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