aviva yacht paddle tennis

Inside the 98m superyacht Aviva’s crazy Padel Tennis court

One of the most significant yachts to come out of 2017 is undoubtedly the 98-metre motor yacht  Aviva  by Abeking & Rasmussen. With her strong hull lines, defined superstructure and two-tone paint finish she is set to become one of the most recognisable yachts of our time. One unique feature about  Aviva , however, that has remained unexplored is her much talked about full-sized Padel Tennis court. Until now, that is.

Unique not only to a superyacht but anything that floats,  Aviva’s  owner’s passion for the game is proved in the amount of interior space dedicated simply to this special area. With dimensions that read 20 metres x 10 metres x 6.65 metres, the design team could easily have added a handful of luxury guest spaces to the interior.

Reymond Langton Design explains the benefit such a unique space has for all those living on board:  “It is not only a lifestyle change for the owner but also to crew as this is also the largest gym of any yacht. The crew is encouraged to play with the owner and guests and when the court is not in use for padel the net can be removed and the crew plays football and use other exercise equipment in the space, it is after all a sports hall.”

The studio continues that some of the challenges of the design were to deliver not only the best possible quality court but also to not have any other interior spaces affected by this one-of-a-kind arrangement.  “Having a padel tennis court on board a yacht, one would expect some sort of compromise to the layout (there isn’t) and to the quality and size of the court, however, the owner is adamant that this is the best padel tennis court in the world, period!”

The huge 5,000 Gross Tonnes interior allowed the team with plenty of space to combine all of the owner’s wishes in a luxurious environment that is unmatched.

The exterior has its own set of notable features but a special quality about  Aviva  is her eco-friendly drive system. A unique hull design paired with an electric propulsions system results in significant reduction in fuel usage on board. With her slippery hull lines,  Aviva  also requires far less power to reach its top speed of 20 knots and has the ability to cruise at 11 knots by relying on electric power alone.

Aviva  was the recipient of a 2018 BOAT International Design & Innovation Award this weekend for her special paddle tennis lifestyle area on board.

Photos by Guillaume Plisson. Story originally published on  SuperYachtTimes.com

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The Wonderful Aviva Superyacht Comes With an on-board Padel Tennis Court

By Victor Baker

Published on February 6, 2018

What would you rather do? Sail into the sunset or play tennis? That sounds like a strange combination of hobbies, but anything is possible on the incredible 98-meter Aviva superyacht. Designed by the renowned German shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen (A&R), this incredible vessel boasts strong hull lines, with a defined superstructure and a stunning two-tone paint finish that could easily take your breath away.

But what makes Aviva really special is its full-sized Padel Tennis court. You see, Aviva’s owner loves the game so much that he decided to fit a 20 x 10 x 6.65 meters court on board, leaving a bit less room for luxury guest spaces inside this yacht. But this full-sized padel court could be easily considered the largest gym of any yacht, which is an impressive achievement nonetheless.

Obviously, there were some challenges with the design, considering this is the first time someone came up with this idea. But the huge interior layout allowed the team from Abeking & Rasmussen to use plenty of space to combine all the owner’s wishes into one luxurious environment.

Of course, there are also a few notable features on the outside, although most people choose to focus on the vessel’s full sized padel court. Its eco-friendly drive system and all-around efficiency also deserves a mention, as Aviva will sail with up to 20 knots and has the ability to cruise comfortably at 11 knots, while going on electric power alone.

The recipient of a 2018 BOAT International Design & Innovation Award, the Aviva superyacht is just another example that even the wildest dreams might come true.

About Victor Baker

Victor is our go-to associate editor for anything with four wheels – and more! With over a decade of experience in automotive journalism, his expertise spans from classic cars to the latest in electric vehicle technology. Beyond vehicles, he has broadened his editorial reach to cover a wide range of topics, from technology and travel to lifestyle and environmental issues. Learn more about Luxatic's Editorial Process .

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AVIVA // A&R // Superyacht with Padel Tennis Court

Lemwerder-based shipyard abeking & rasmussen  built the 98m successor of the aviva (68m) with a padel tennis court..

AVIVA is a Reymond Langton  (exterior and interior) design (like the predecessor), created in cooperation with Toby Silverton. She is the fourth yacht for the British owner Mr. Joe Lewis with that name. The businessman talks about important technology to operate the business from his “floating office” in an interview with Bond Technology Management . Also, the new one was built to live aboard with the owner’s needs.

This launch is the biggest to date in the history of over 100 years of Abeking & Rasmussen. With the upgraded construction hall they can build yachts up to 125 meters.

Padel Tennis Court on a Superyacht

The yacht’s unique feature is a full-size padel tennis court (20m x 10m x 6) over two decks inside. This feature got an award at Boat International’s Design & Innovation Awards 2018 in Kitzbühel in the Best Lifestyle Feature Design category. Furthermore, AVIVA also awarded at the World Superyacht Awards in the Judges’ Special Award .

Reymond Langton comments:

“It is not only a lifestyle change for the owner but also to crew as this is also the largest gym of any yacht. The crew is encouraged to play with the owner and guests and when the court is not in use for padel the net can be removed and the crew plays football and use other exercise equipment in the space, it is after all a sports hall. Having a padel tennis court on board a yacht, one would expect some sort of compromise to the layout (there isn’t) and to the quality and size of the court, however, the owner is adamant that this is the best padel tennis court in the world, period!”

Hull optimization decreases the drag of about 20 %. Less drag = less power and less fuel consumption. The maximum speed is 20 knots.

AVIVA has hybrid propulsion that allows an electric-only drive up to eleven knots for more eco-friendliness and reduced noise for more comfort.

Till von Krause (Abeking & Rasmussen Sales Director):

“We are very proud to present our latest superyacht named “AVIVA“. This is the result of highest workmanship and best communication between the owner and his team during the short period of less than three years.”

Andrew Langton (Reymond Langton Design):

“The biggest yacht from Abeking & Rasmussen, featuring a fresh and dynamic contemporary exterior design, unique, highly personalized layout for the interior and a cutting edge technical platform. “AVIVA” is intended as a home away from home, and as a result the layout moves away from current trends to maximise the spaces that will be used the most, and create a welcome, inviting atmosphere, with a combination of spacious, open social lounges alongside more intimate and discreet areas for dining, working and relaxation. The interior design features a number of avant-garde architectural elements and details, and uses a rich combination of fabric and leathers in light, warm tones.”

Some of the images are taken by Guillaume Plisson

Main Specifications of AVIVA

Length Overall

Aerial video of AVIVA - by DrDuu

Launch Impressions

The 68m AVIVA from 2007

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Aviva: Inside the 98.4m Abeking & Rasmussen flagship yacht

The owner of Aviva challenged his design team to build a yacht around a padel tennis court — and 98m, 4,966GT and a mere three years later, she was launched.

She’s big — let’s get that out of the way. At 98.4 metres,  Aviva  became the 46th longest yacht in the world when she was delivered by  Abeking & Rasmussen  in 2017, and there are very few boats of her length that can match her for volume.

Her 17.24 metre beam is so generous that the designers pulled in the bridge deck superstructure to add side decks — improving crew circulation and refining the profile — because “we just didn’t need that much beam”.

They were right: spaces on board are magnificently expansive, from guest suites the size of the master suite on a 50 metre to an owner’s wardrobe that is, designer Andrew Langton notes quite seriously, “bigger than my house in France”. The fact that scale sits fairly low down on the list of Aviva ’s extraordinary features speaks to the imagination and belief-beggaring ambition of this project.

Aviva is the third yacht of her name delivered to owner Joe Lewis, British businessman and major shareholder in Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. The first, a 62 metre Winch design, was built at Feadship in the Netherlands; the second, a 68 metre Reymond Langton design , at Abeking & Rasmussen on the banks of the Weser river in Lemwerder, near Bremen.

For his grandest project yet Lewis returned to Abeking. “They were, surprisingly, much less conservative than other people. Maybe it’s because of the military stuff they do,” says Toby Silverton, head of design on the project, working with Reymond Langton, and who was also involved in Lewis’s two previous projects.

The yard’s biggest project had been 82.48 metre Secret and to take on Aviva it extended its build shed to accommodate yachts of up to 125 metres — a bold move into a larger size category. And its courage didn’t end there.

“Build a big yacht around a padel tennis court was the main brief, I guess,” says the yard’s project manager Andreas Hering, with admirable understatement. “In three years.”

• How 74.5m Abeking & Rasmussen Elandess sprang from a blank sheet of paper

A project of this size might easily take five years, even if the yard already had a shed big enough for the purpose. And this was a highly unusual project. Design was accelerated too: the complex interior was penned in six months, when they would have liked a year; and the exterior in just one month, when it might more comfortably have taken six.

Knowing that makes Aviva ’s elegant profile even more impressive. “There was a lot of work to [visually] break up the mass, using facets,” says Langton. “We also tried to keep the lines long, so the sheer line is very long and jumps up forward with a clean line.”

They also minimised the details that act as size references, to disguise the scale. Rub rails are eliminated, stanchions replaced with glass, crew quarters windows are grouped to create long lines of glazing and even the anchor pocket has been elongated and disguised, lest a little square of gleaming stainless gives the game away.

Some upright elements of the silver superstructure were also picked out in a darker shade. “They disappear a bit, which makes the slope of the boat more raked,” says Langton.

The long bow adds to the effect, but the aesthetic is the beneficiary of a practical decision: this boat will roam far and the long covered bow makes it likely to survive the kind of rogue waves that have battered a few cruise ships over the years.

“I talked to the captain of the QE2 who went through a wave, and what happens is all the wheelhouse windows smash, they had four foot of water, you then lose all your instruments and they had no ability to control the boat, communicate or navigate,” says Silverton.

To strengthen Aviva he added extra watertight doors and armoured the two forward VIP cabins and superyacht wheelhouse so that they could be sealed off to save the boat. “You can lose everything on the bridge and you can still navigate and control the boat from the engine room,” he says.

Apart from safety, the main aim of the naval architecture was stability. Before the build of Lewis’s second Aviva , Silverton had been frustrated by a lack of data on how rolling motion affects passengers, so he put 36 people in a motion simulator for three days.

“There’s two things: one is the period of roll and the second is the way it rolls,” he says. “The typical roll period of the 62 metre would be around 7.5-7.8 seconds, one of two roll periods people were particularly upset by. And we found that if it was a soft stop and then a soft movement away again, people were much more tolerant of it.”

The design of the second boat addressed those concerns and the new Aviva ’s hull — patent pending — is an evolution of that. It has a nipped in “waist” which bulges back out below the waterline. This both slows and softens the roll. Her near-vertical bow and narrow sailing boat-like stern (which helps reduce pitching) also aid efficiency.

So much so that they were able to go down two engine sizes from the original spec (she has two MTU 16V4000 M73Ls, which put out 2,880kW each) and still hit 20.3 knots in sea trials. Silverton notes that she runs most comfortably at a zippy 16.5 knots, despite an official cruising speed of 14 knots.

Supplementary electric motors offer smooth manoeuvring and silent 11 knot running at night, while extra solidity comes from MAGLift stabilisers aft and one pair of fin stabilisers forward.

But it is the padel tennis court that lies literally and metaphorically at the heart of this project. This high intensity squash-tennis hybrid is a daily routine for Lewis and his explorations with his previous yachts had been limited to destinations with courts.

“The original idea I had was to put it on the aft end main deck and have folding panels and sliding walls,” says Langton. “It never even entered my head to put it inside, because it’s so big.”

Not only would putting the court at the back have made for a profile that Langton likens to a pick-up truck, but Silverton notes that the court would not have been playable at main-deck level. “You’re way above the roll centre, so it’s moving sideways – humans can’t cope with sideways movement of the ground,” says Silverton. “So we looked at putting it as low down as possible.”

Achieving such a large area in that position was an engineering feat but the results are spectacular. Its dimensions short-circuit spatial understanding — it seems impossible that this towering 6.65 metre tall space could be accommodated in Aviva ’s profile.

But it is, and it functions beautifully. “We’re running along at 19 knots, white horses everywhere, and they’re downstairs playing padel having no idea that there’s any sea at all,” says Silverton.

This sort of intelligent ambition has transformed every space on board into something special. “The owner has been in many businesses – hospitality, hotels – so he really understands how spaces work,” says Silverton.

Apart from strategically placed pantries and concealed crew entrances, there are three massive dumb waiters, a lower deck entrance for loading supplies, a dedicated crew galley and much more. The final GA was version 57.

On the more glamorous side of this equation, the upper saloon is a highly functional family room that’s comfortable, bright and airy. The sofas are extra squashy, and there’s a games table as well as a sculptural Bogányi piano.

The head height is 2.6 metres and nine metres of openable full-height windows run along each side of the room – with balconies. Rather than the usual glass, doors to the aft deck are leather clad, making the room feel more private. In fine weather, with those doors open, glass panels slide out to surround the aft deck dining area, creating one long, protected inside/outside space.

Designing such a huge area without pillars for support was a challenge and the corners are, says Hering, packed with extra structure. “Also, in the ceiling, all the girders are very thick because the unsupported length is just enormous.”

In contrast to this space, the main saloon below is a glamorous introduction to Aviva , up the sweeping superyacht staircase from the swim platform and inside to take in starry pieces from the owner’s art collection from a round of sunken seating. Adding a dash of intrigue there’s a secret cinema forward of the space, behind a hidden door.

The master suite is in the nose of the main deck rather than higher up, for extra stability. It stretches from a full-beam cabin to a massive bathroom centred with a monolithic Corian bathtub (there’s a spa just aft of the cabin for even more serious pampering), to a wardrobe-cum-dressing room of spectacular scale and glamour, inspired by Chanel boutiques.

But while some spaces are grand in scale, others are decidedly intimate. Rather than a dining saloon, there are two art-filled “bistros” on board for cosy meals, and many other small dining areas elsewhere. The owner’s bridge deck office is also modestly proportioned, with a conference room next door for larger meetings.

In terms of interior style, the owner’s brief was for something revolutionary. “He didn’t want anything to be symmetrical, it had to be curvy or organic,” says Langton. “He wanted it to be very different. No wood, nothing traditional.”

From the furniture and fittings to walls and overheads, there is barely a straight line on this boat. That was no mean feat for Abeking & Rasmussen’s outfitter Rodiek, which, as well as building most of the yacht’s bespoke furniture in organic forms, produced undulating wall panels from high density CNC-milled foam. “Five or ten years ago this was only used to do models or moulds for the car industry. It is very expensive,” says Langton.

It is, however, perfect for creating curves. “For this boat we decided to use a lot of new materials, even for the base materials, because of the big curved ceiling spaces,” says Hilmar Westermeyer, COO of Rodiek, who had to buy a new CNC milling machine for the project. Rodiek works only for Abeking & Rasmussen (and vice versa) in a symbiotic relationship.

In terms of the interior styling, the ethos was love it or lose it — at least visually. “This door disappears when it is closed and becomes part of the wall,” says Langton in one of the forward VIPs, swinging it to the latch, where its undulations perfectly meet those on the wall. “You either make a door a feature, make it beautiful, or you make it disappear.” The same goes for handles: those on wardrobes are invisible, but ones used on cabin doors are gnarled and textural, incorporated into a cracked bronze plate “like desert clay”.

“Because we’ve not used any wood, basically the whole interior is a mixture of leather and lacquer, it’s really almost tailored.” Take the artfully stitched cream leather of window frames, or the iridescent shot silk that runs down the broad main deck corridor, printed with a bespoke cartographical motif.

A neutral palette is enriched with precious materials: sunset-toned onyx, vanilla marble, shagreen, shimmering leathers. There are glossy panels dripping with resin and acrylic by Alex Turco in the lobby, and panels of velvet mottled with gold, by Sabina Fay Braxton, above guest beds. Staircases are works of art; one with floating treads like turbine blades, another a leather and glass form that spirals up from the floor.

This interior — where, as Langton puts it, almost every surface has “richness and form” – melts into the deck spaces via visual tricks: organic patterns in the Esthec decking that continue in the interior carpets; or the bar that is half in the main saloon and half on the aft deck, a mirror image joining the two spaces.

The superyacht sundeck is the exterior equivalent of the upper saloon — a comfortable family lounge. This massive space, with sunshine yellow upholstery, runs from a shaded central area for dining, with a projector for movie nights, to an aft sunbathing area with sunpads (with a wedge shape to sit as well as lie) and another forward around a spa pool, set low against a glass windbreak for spectacular views.

This forward end is a cosy space like so many on board. It’s that understanding of usable, enjoyable spaces, of human scale, human comfort and passions that makes Aviva a truly grand design. Those 98 metres just help pack it all on board.

First published in the April 2018 edition of BOAT International. Get this magazine sent straight to your door, or subscribe and never miss an issue.

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Aviva Superyacht Takes Padel to the Sea!

Imagine having to enjoyt he sea and a great game of padel both at the same time well you don’t have to imagine anymore because aviva brings you the best of both worlds.

The 98-meter motor yacht Aviva by Abeking & Rasmussen is probably one of the most noteworthy boats of 2017. One of the most recognizable yachts of our time will be the result of her bold hull lines, distinct superstructure, and two-tone paint finish.

But that’s just where the fun starts!

Although Aviva’s full-sized padel tennis court has been much discussed, it has remained mostly untouched. It wasn’t until recently that this was the case.

Aviva’s owner’s enthusiasm for the game is evident in the amount of internal space given to this exclusive section, which is unique not just to a superyacht but to anything that floats.

Talk about one-of a kind: The design team might have simply added a few luxurious guest rooms to the inside, which measures 20 meters x 10 meters x 6.65 meters.

Get both your workout and tan at the same time.

Reymond Langton Design outlines the advantages of such a unique space. When it comes to the crew, it’s more than just a lifestyle shift; it’s the biggest gym on any boat! It’s a sports hall, so the staff is encouraged to play with the owner and visitors, and the net may be removed when the court isn’t being used for padel so that the crew can play football and other workout equipment in the area.

This one-of-a-kind configuration was a major problem for the design team, as was making sure that no other interior areas were impacted by the court’s design.

One could anticipate finding some type of compromise in the arrangement (there isn’t) and quality and size of the padel tennis court on a boat.

The fact that owner didn’t want to save on the fun and went full-on with this floating padel boat is just awesome, period!

All of the owner’s demands could be fulfilled in a pleasant atmosphere because of the enormous 5,000 Gross Tonnes interior.

Aviva’s eco-friendly propulsion system is one of the most noteworthy aspects of her appearance

The combination of a novel hull design and an electric propulsion technology reduces fuel consumption significantly on board. To attain her peak speed of 20 knots, Aviva takes just a fraction of the energy required by a conventional ship, and she can travel at 11 knots solely on electric power.

The sundeck on a superyacht serves as an outdoor version of the upper saloon, where families may relax in style. Sunbathe in the aft section, which has a wedge-shaped sunpad that can be used to both sit and lay down. Relax in the front section around a spa pool that is positioned low against a glass windbreak to take in the stunning views.

The front end of the ship is just like the rest of the cabins. Aviva is a genuinely magnificent design because of its grasp of useful, delightful places, human size, human comfort, and human passions. A total of 98 metres aids in cramming it all in.

Aviva was honored with a BOAT International Design & Innovation Award for her paddle tennis lifestyle space onboard her yacht. A much-deserved award for this exceptional sea beauty.

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The first yacht to house a  full-sized 

Padel tennis court.

98M SUPERYACHT- 'AVIVA' 

Joe Lewis, the British billionaire, Chairman of Tavistock Group and the 5th richest man in the UK, commissioned this stunning superyacht which was launched in January 2017. She is believed to be valued at US$250 million! That’s £204,225,000.00 GBP!  

When Joe’s not at his home in the Bahamas, where Tavistock Group is based, he will be enjoying the luxury on board this 98-metre (322 ft) vessel. He says it’s his ‘home away from home’ and spends much of the year on board, using it as a floating office, wherever in the world it might be. 

At the time, Aviva was the largest creation designed by Reymond Langton. It was built by Abeking & Rasmussen who had to create a special system and pontoon in order to launch the super structure, 33 months after signing the contract. 

Her hybrid drive system is a special feature whereby using just electric power, and not the main engines, she can cruise at 11 knots. With an eco-friendly system that requires less engine output and reduced fuel consumption, she can reach a max speed of 20 knots. 

She sleeps 16 guests in 8 cabins and accommodates a crew of 25 over 12 cabins. 

TENNIS COURT

  Although you won’t see Aviva in the first half of the ‘top 100 largest yachts in the world’, she is the first yacht to house a full-sized padel tennis court. The indoor court stretches across a 10 metre width, 20 metre length, and 6.65 metre height. It’s hard to imagine a space like this inside any type of yacht, but with her 5000 gross tonnage of interior volume, the size of the court didn’t have to be compromised. 

 Joe plays the sport with his guests or his crew members, who are also encouraged to use the ‘sports hall’ for football and other exercise activities when the net is removed. Not only that, but there is a small lounging area for spectators, hidden behind a protective net. 

Aviva’s tenders are launched through her side doors, and she also boasts a ‘beach club’ area created by a swimming platform that opens up onto the ocean.  

This year Forbes valued Joe Lewis at £4.358 Billion

  The 82-year-old owner has an impressive portfolio after starting his career at the age of 15, joining his father’s catering company in London. He made his initial wealth from the sale of that company in 1979, then switched his residency to the Bahamas and moved into currency trading. He now has investments in over 200 businesses and is a Tottenham Hotspur FC major shareholder.  

FOURTH YACHT

  Prior to his 98-meter flagship, Joe owned 3 other yachts. His first was a 62-meter Feadship in 1998, called Lady Aviva. However, this caught fire later, in the Red Sea, and was eventually salvaged by Dennis Washington, who transformed the yacht, renaming her Attessa III. Joe’s second yacht was the 60-meter Oceanco, named Alfa Four, which was built in 2004. She is now known as Sea Pearl. In 2007, Joe took delivery of a 68-meter Aviva, also built by Abeking & Rasmussen. 

Joe must like his toys as we are also aware that he owns a private jet worth US$30 million (£24,504,600.00 GBP). The Embraer Legacy 600, which seats 12 passengers, has a registration that refers to Tottenham Hotspurs FC and reads; ‘G-THFC’. 

 Aviva was recently moored at Keppel Bay in Singapore, where we managed to get a few shots of her in all her glory! 

The blue innovative steel hull design really stands out in the crowd.  

  For more Motor Yacht News, click the link below.

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Billionaire Joe Lewis, who was forbidden to use his $250 million superyacht for close to a year, can finally use his dream boat after paying a $5 million fine. Used as his residence and office the 322 feet long stunning vessel is built around a padel court.

Not his first yacht, but Aviva is the first with a paddle court –

Abeking & Rasmussen had delivered Lewis’s first 223-foot Aviva yacht for the yacht-enthusiast billionaire. Spending months on end on his pleasure craft for business and pleasure, Lewis returned to the shipyard with a ballooning net worth and interests, commissioning a boat that would essentially function as his primary home.

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Besenzoni designs new Helybase Concept for superyachts

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This review will focus on the engineering feats and design features that make Aviva so innovative. Design leader Toby Silverton and project manager Brendon O’Sullivan were also behind the original 68-meter Aviva, a boat that broke new ground in superyacht design. These gentlemen have been generous in sharing their time and information for the inside story and background on the build of the new 98-meter Aviva, a yacht that sets new precedents in superyacht stability and efficiency. The construction included four days of tank testing, a myriad of engineers, selection of the right build yard and consultants, and the willingness to be cutting edge in design.

The owner’s directives were to build the new Aviva in less than 3 years, a monumental task given the standard time frame of 4½ years for a yacht of this magnitude. In addition to making stability and efficiency a top priority, it also had to house the best indoor padel court in the world. The mandates were sent to nine shipyards, but only two responded with one hesitatingly. Abeking & Rasmussen, looking to keep the owner as satisfied with this M/Y Aviva as the 68 meter they previously built for him, employed Reymond Langton once again for the interior and exterior styling, engaging the talents of Toby Silverton as head of design while Brendon O’Sullivan’s engineering skills and experience were utilized as project manager.

Aesthetically beautiful and unusually elegant were the owner imperatives, including an unusual paint that simulates a metallic color. Metallics can be difficult to blend in spot areas if touch-ups are needed. To facilitate future paint work, faceted panels were devised so each curved or flat intersecting plate creates a natural tape line for localized refinishing. The blue/gray hull and the silver superstructure provide a flow that emphasizes the refined sheer rather than the elongation of size.

The simplicity of the style camouflages the intricacies of design. Take note of the uniqueness of the radar mast, lack of stanchions, absence of rubrails, oversized side decks, etc. But the hull design, which isn’t readily visible above the waterline, revolutionizes hull stability, water resistance, and efficiency. The patented hull is narrowed considerably at the waterline but is full beam above and below the surface. The waterline significantly tapers towards the stern which makes the width of the stern half of the beam at amidships. The end result: resistance was reduced by an incredible 30 percent!

Not just another pretty beach club, Aviva's swim platform is designed to aid in stability. How? By incorporating flow channels into the platform that fill with water when the boat pitches in heavy seas. The weight of this accumulated water helps dampen pitching, yet flows out of the recessed channels as the stern lifts, making physics and natural resources work simply and symbiotically.

The hydraulic platform folds up encasing Aviva's sailboat-like stern. The shallow deadrise of the stern works in conjunction with the plumb bow to reduce pitching while adding longitudinal stability and reducing wave-making resistance. The holes on the side of the beach platform are to reduce buoyancy so the door can be submerged during tender launching ops.

An airfoil is mounted to the top of the exhaust funnel to create a low pressure area aft of the wing, drawing the exhaust up, over and away from the aft decks while underway. See the 2nd photo in this review: the profile shot shows the aggressive angle of attack of the airfoil and the practicality of the design. It was important to have the main funnel cross ventilated otherwise you have vortex that dropped the soot over the rear and side decks. This required a large intake area at the forward end of the funnel to equalize the pressure. In a side wind, the funnel effectively works like a rudder, adding directional stability to the yacht, much like the vertical tail on an airplane.

Narrow corridors and companionways were nixed in favor of the yacht’s exceptionally wide 56’43” beam. The entire yacht is a workout at sea with wide decks and gradual staircases designed for crew to do cardio and the owner to leisurely stroll around the yacht with little to no interruption to the walking path.

Contemporary styling was another owner directive. Stainless steel, carbon fiber, and Esthec decking all contribute to the ultra-modern theme, but Aviva is also about functionality. Notice the curves and rounded edges around the superstructure? This isn't simply an aesthetic exercise, it's designed to work with the elements, reducing windage and drag. With the exception of cushions on outer deck seating, the exterior materials are designed to weather time. You will notice the absence of wood throughout the yacht, except on occasional furniture.

The aft ends of the decks have seamless glass sans stanchions to contribute to the modern appearance as well as allowing for unobstructed views. Every line, curve, and placement of doors and windows were given attention to contributing towards the sleek and cohesive effect. The spine of the staircase is a compound curve. Easy to do with 1 inch pipe. Not so much with 1 foot pipe!

In keeping with Aviva's theme of form meets function, the paint colors are used to enhance the flow of lines, but the trailing edges of the upper aft deck overhangs use dark metallic black trim. It's a nice contrasting accent, but the real reason for this is to aesthetically reduce to the proportions of the side profile making Aviva look sleeker. Aviva's flag staff is yet another piece of art onboard this boat. Designed to simulate the deicing element of an aircraft wing, the leading edge is lined with a stainless boot.

There are very few straight lines anywhere on this boat. Aviva purposely uses curves to enhance flow, whether it be fluid or pedestrian. Same with Aviva's seating, which is also curved, along with most interior walls, ceilings and accoutrements. Unfortunately, no interior images are permitted to be published.

Welcome to the bridge, Captain Kirk. Command central on Aviva was patterned after the bridge on the Starship Enterprise. There are subtle design elements throughout the wheelhouse that hint at a ship that has explored distant galaxies. While there were no Vulcans onboard, we are convinced that YF's K1W1 is of extraterrestrial origin. His engineering prowess would relegate Scotty to ship's bosun. In addition to engineering everything the bridge controls, Brendon was also involved in the design of the bridge. Because the bridge has no brow, the console was setback to reduce sun damage to the equipment.

The command console is unique on many levels. It is set centered on the deck and set back from the windshield to allow unimpeded access to replace electronics or chase a short. As a full walk-around console, it grants better visibility for spotters and guests. Notice the abstract lines behind the settee, these are doors that slide open from center, much like you would see on the bridge of the Enterprise.

Aviva’s padel tennis court seems to be the attention grabber. For those unfamiliar with padel tennis (not to be confused with paddle tennis), the game is a combination of tennis and squash. Not one to raise a racket, figuratively nor literally, I thought the publicity was a misplaced emphasis on this yacht’s amenities. And then we were wowed! It’s not just the enormity of space, but the enormity of space on a boat! The dimensions are 60’x’20’x25’. When one asks the headroom on this vessel, the answer can honestly be one room has 25 feet! Then there were the requirements and subsequent construction logistics. Factors that needed to be considered were: available cubic footage that would not detract from other needed areas; the requirement to keep longitudinal and torsional rigidity at high levels which is a prime consideration on any seagoing vessel and a serious issue when the usual structural components are missing in a significant area of the hull. Additional requirements were meeting class standards, conformity to international padel court rules, exact lighting void of glare, and ultimately assuring a well insulated space. When one is sunbathing, dining, or lounging with a good book, the boing-boing could be an annoying distraction. The spectator’s lounge was a directive as well as the ability to convert from a padel court to a football field for crew’s enjoyment.

Then there is the game itself: the court must have the right bounce. This last seemingly innocuous ping did in fact require the entire back wall to be rebuilt. The court is built at the lowest point of the yacht and the corners of the court are only 6 inches from the outer surface of the hull. Due to stability requirements, the court is positioned just forward of amidships. The floor consists of a 2-inch layer of concrete, 1½ inches of rubber, 4 tons of sand, and “grass” with custom made bristles. Sounds like expensive ballast to me! And if that wasn't enough, it had to be rebuilt to get the right bounce off of the back wall? Yet, the rewards are in the results. Not only is this padel court reportedly the best in the world, but the family was playing the sport in 6 foot seas at 18 knots and still able to precisely follow the bouncing ball. And finally, two opposing stationary bikes are located courtside. Why this location? Would you rather breathe human exhaust in a spin class room or the abundant air of the biodome that is the padel court?

TECHNICAL DETAIL SHOTS ​ Air intakes: Ever notice how the air intakes on most yachts are the ugliest part of the exterior? Aviva doesn’t accept the status quo. The unobtrusive intakes are designed for barometric efficiency, but as throughout, equal attention was given to the aesthetics. The intakes are located up high, behind the Portuguese bridge bulwarks, tucked away from salt and spray. This location was ideal because Aviva’s profile isn’t conducive to an exterior ventilation location. ​

Bridge Door: recessed behind an enclave on the side of the superstructure. This allows the doors to be easily opened or closed underway, negating the effects of wind and vessel speed that are often a battle with exterior doors. And because one has to sometimes step outside of the wheelhouse in inclement weather, it's nice to have a covered area for water protection.

Interior Bridge Entry Doors: paying homage to Gene Roddenberry, these doors are a mantra for this build... "going where no boat has gone before."

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Your Insider’s Guide to the Aviva Yacht

The Aviva Yacht was built in 2017 by German shipyard  Abeking & Rasmussen. The yacht’s interior design was styled by British design house Reymond Langton Design. Outside, the exterior design was handled by Reymond Langton Design. The yacht features a steel hull, aluminum superstructure, and composite decks.

One of the most unique features of the Aviva Yacht is the enormous gymnasium space that is part of its design. While many yachts have a workout gym area, Aviva has a full court that can be converted to play several sports or activities. Even at full speed, the court has been designed and stabilized so guests can play a game without the yacht’s motion causing any disturbance.

Who is the Aviva Yacht Owner? 

British businessman Joe Lewis owns Aviva. He is the majority owner of the Premier League Tottenham Hotspur football club and is known for currency trading. His net worth is above $4 billion, and his art collection alone is worth $1 billion.

This version of the Aviva is the fourth yacht called Aviva that Lewis has owned. His previous third yacht was 223 feet long and built for him in 2007. It’s been said that Lewis uses this yacht as a floating office and spends most of his time here.

How Much Did the Yacht Aviva Cost?

Lewis is believed to have paid $250 million for the Aviva in 2017. The annual cost of running the yacht is believed to be between $15 million and $25 million. This would cover things like salary for the 35 crew members, fuel, taxes, and other expenses. This means that while the Aviva is not one of the most expensive yachts in the world, it’s still quite impressive.

Can You Charter the Aviva Yacht?

Unlike some similar yachts, it does not appear that Aviva is available for charter. 

How Big is the Aviva Yacht?

Aviva qualifies as a superyacht at a respectable 98.4 m or 322’10”. That’s not in the running for one of the largest yachts in the world, but when she debuted in 2017, she was the 47th largest yacht at the time. In addition to the notable length, she features a nearly 57-foot beam and a gross tonnage of 4,999

How Fast Does the Aviva Go and What Engines Does It Use?

Aviva features twin diesel-electric MTU (16V 4000 M73L) 16-cylinder 3,862hp engines. The cruising speed is 14 knots, but she can reach a maximum speed of 20 knots. A 364,705-liter fuel tank gives her a range of up to 6,000 nautical miles at 13 knots.

The yacht runs a hybrid drive system, which means it can get up to 11 knots of electric power before switching to the main engines.

What’s the Interior of the Motor Yacht Aviva Like?

As you saw from the large beam and length, there’s a lot of space to work with on the Aviva. The vessel has room for 16 guests in 8 suites, including a huge master suite. Lewis is said to live full-time on this yacht, so it needs to have all the amenities of a home that the billionaire would require. That said, because it is the man’s home, there are only limited details about the yacht’s features and what it looks like inside. 

The Master suite is said to be larger than most houses and is located at the nose of the main deck. The large bathroom features a monolithic Corian bathtub, and there’s a spa just aft of the cabin where additional relaxation treatments can be enjoyed. The owner’s suite even features a wardrobe/dressing room inspired by Chanel boutiques and is more significant than most cabins on other yachts. 

The interior aesthetic is meant to be organic with soft, curving lines. The design has no symmetry, and this was done on purpose. Lewis didn’t want his yacht to have a traditional look and feel. As a result, you won’t even find wood accents throughout the yacht, as he thought those were too standard in the yachting world, and he wanted a different feel. 

Straight lines are tough to come by on the yacht, even in the furniture. Nothing is designed to be square and stationary, which likely challenged the design team.

The result of this flowing, organic design is that many materials on board are unique in the yachting world. Walls were designed with high-density CNC-milled foam, the same stuff the auto industry uses to create molds for new car designs. 

Features and Amenities

• Huge lounge area highlighted with yellow and turquoise accents
• Jacuzzi tub on the deck
• Spa facilities
• Aviva features a full size 20 meters x 10 meters x 6.65 meters paddle tennis court
• The padel tennis net can be removed, and the large court is suitable for playing soccer or setting up gym equipment. The Aviva is the first yacht in the world to have such a court on board.
• A full-size piano in one of the internal lounge areas
• Guests can navigate the vessel thanks to an elevator that passes between decks
• A fully equipped gym, in addition to the paddle tennis court, ensures guests can get in a solid workout
• The aft deck dining area features leather-clad doors that add privacy and reduce noise. These can be opened to let glass panels slide out instead in sunny weather
• A large beach club is available for relaxing
• The yacht is said to have a “hidden” cinema
• The main salon features full-height windows and balconies
• The guest rooms are as big as a typical master suite would be
• Instead of large dining areas, there are a series of smaller ones. The two main dining spaces are called bistros and feature samplings of the owner’s art while allowing for smaller, more intimate dinners than one might have in a large dining hall. 

While there are photos that sometimes show off what appears to be a tender garage on the side of the yacht along with a swimming platform, the complete list of toys that may be present on board is not known. While it’s safe to say at least one tender is available, anything else would be speculation. 

The Bottom Line

British businessman Joe Lewis owns the yacht Aviva, and he’s had several other vessels of the same name. It’s believed Lewis paid about $250 million for the 322′ superyacht though some sources will cite a different amount (potentially due to confusion with his previous Aviva yacht, which was smaller).

The standout feature of the Aviva is the full-sized paddle tennis indoor court on board which was designed to allow people to play even when the boat is underway. Lewis spends much of his time on the yacht, and, as such, he’s pretty secretive about many other details. 

My grandfather first took me fishing when I was too young to actually hold up a rod on my own. As an avid camper, hiker, and nature enthusiast I'm always looking for a new adventure.

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Aviva – under way into the future

It is one thing to say that opposites attract. Quite another, and all the more seldom, to say that they actually fit perfectly well together. The new Aviva is a beautiful example of such a yacht construction. The nearly 100 metres yacht succeeds in creating harmony between exciting implications and tranquil hydrodynamics, between enormous volume and form, powerful performance and extremely low fuel consumption. You’ll find all typical yacht lifestyle comforts on board, but also something utterly exceptional: a complete, full-size paddle court. Comfort and experience together, on a completely new level.

▶   A closer look to Aviva

And the Winner is: Aviva – awarded with THE WORLD SUPERYACHT AWARD 2018 and BOAT INTERNATIONAL DESIGN & INNOVATION AWARD 2018

All images and videos on this website are protected under international copyright laws. Images and videos may not be used without written consent from A&R. All rights reserved. By clicking on the video clip you accept our privacy policy. Photos: © GUILLAUME PLISSON.

Photos: A look inside the super yacht, Aviva

Joe Lewis’ $250 million superyacht, ranked among the world’s 25-most valuable, sets sail after he pays US fine

Joe Lewis’ superyacht is on the move again after spending most of the past year holed up in a Mediterranean port while the British billionaire faced insider-trading charges in the US.

His 322-foot (98-meter) Aviva — which he put up as collateral for bail —  has traveled more than 400 nautical miles from Malta to cities along Albania’s coast as well as the Greek island of Zakynthos since  he was sentenced  April 4 to three years probation, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

After departing Zakynthos earlier this week, the Tavistock Group founder’s yacht was near Kalamata in southern Greece on Thursday morning local time, the data show. It’s the most the roughly $250 million vessel has traveled in about seven months, though it’s unclear if Lewis is on board.

Lewis, 87, pledged his yacht along with his private jet to secure his release following his arrest in July. A few months later, Aviva docked until April 5 in the Maltese capital of Valletta, where it can cost as much as €750 ($800) a night to moor vessels that exceed 75 meters.

Lewis, who was scheduled to have eye surgery in London recently, was prohibited from setting foot on the yacht that has long served as part-residence, part-office while awaiting trial. He was only allowed on board after paying a $5 million fine after sentencing, which he settled soon after the verdict in Manhattan.

A representative for Lewis, who has a net worth of about $7.3 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, declined to comment.

Lewis, whose global empire includes five-star hotels, private lenders and enclaves for the wealthy, launched Aviva in 2017. It includes eight guest suites, a helipad, padel tennis court, spa and a cinema. It ranked among the world’s 25-most valuable superyachts shortly after its launch, alongside those owned by Middle Eastern royals.

The yacht has also displayed works from Lewis’ private art collection, which is valued at more than $1 billion and includes pieces by Picasso, Freud, Klimt and Degas.

Events that authorities say took place on the yacht were a key piece of evidence that prosecutors used against him. 

At dinner one night in September 2019, the billionaire received favorable news about Mirati Therapeutics Inc., an oncology company where he was a major investor, leading him to pass along the tip to a host of people, including the pilots of his private jet, according to US regulators.

Those pilots — Bryan “Marty” Waugh and Patrick O’Connor — were also charged with trading on inside information. O’Connor pleaded guilty to securities fraud and conspiracy and is due to be sentenced in May, while Waugh is fighting the charges.

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Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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Kuznetski Most area in Moscow

Kuznetski Most is a small area between Tverskaya street, Kremlin, and Kitai Gorod (Lubyanka) and it's a downtown of Moscow. First of all, 'Kuznya' is a great place to walk: it is a real Moscow area, not a postcard at all, hectic busy streets neighbour tranquil lanes and courtyards with traditional architecture. There are also many very nice cafes, restaurants, clubs, and shops. If you want a cool place to meet people, go for a walk and to get the real feeling of the city, check out this area.

Long time ago there were only half-broken low wooden houses in Kuznetski Most area, and it was the place where poor blacksmithes lived. Blacksmith is 'Kuznets' in Russia, hence the name. In the beginning of the street (on top) there was a bridge over a small river, later this river was put underground, so there's no bridge anymore. About 200 years ago there was a rich Moscovitan noble buying this area. He immediately put away all the blacksmiths' houses and started to build a fancy new district. Just in few years he built up beautiful houses, with impressive ornaments, rich decoration, pools in the courtyards. Also, he opened some French boutiques in the area. That's when Kuznetski Most started to become fashionable. In a short time all the elite moved to this  area, and those who wasn't so fast were coming here to make some shopping and to sit in many of the restaurants and cafes around.  In the 20th century, when the communist times arrived, most of the buildings were given to government offices, some were given to soviet shops. The area became boring, the architecture was slowly deteriorating , but nobody seemed to care. In the beginning of the 90s  the area was revived again: the buildings were  restored , there was many new cafes being opened, boutiques, and shops. One important landmark of Kuznetsky Most is that it's home to FSB (Federal Security Bureau - former KGB) offices, and if you walk along Kuznetsky Most street you can get to the FSB reception, which is open 24 hours (in case you have something to report).  

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