The grain elevator, built in the late 1940s and early 1950s out of reinforced concrete near Kharkiv Railway Station, bore faint traces of Socialist Classicism style—in its industrial variant.

The imposing 60-meter-tall structure was something of a local landmark—it was visible from a distance. Similar (though not identical) grain elevators from the same period can be seen in Podil in Kyiv, as well as in Dnipro city.

Until recently, from certain angles, the silhouette of the Bergenheim apartment building and the elevator would bring a smile to one’s face, as together they resembled a castle with a tower.

The grain elevator was abandoned in the mid-1990s.

After that, it became a favorite hangout for nonconformists and thrill-seekers—its summit offered a fantastic view of Kharkiv city.

Some members of the public have suggested preserving and revitalizing the grain elevator by converting it into an arts hub.

It was proposed that the tower be preserved as an observation deck and an example of mid-20th-century industrial architecture, while the adjacent buildings be repurposed for offices, theaters, art studios, and so on.

Most of the Kharkiv grain silo structures were demolished in 2020 to make way for a residential complex. The grain elevator’s main tower was demolished on May 16, 2021.