Early Life
Zarakh Iliev was born on September 8, 1966, in Krasnaya Sloboda, Azerbaijan. He grew up in a family with five brothers and two sisters. His father was a shoemaker, and Iliev learned the trade from a young age. His entrepreneurial journey began early, sewing and selling hats in his youth.
Rise to Success
Iliev moved to Moscow in 1983 and entered the retail business. He partnered with God Nisanov in 1992 to form the Kievskaya Ploshchad Group of Companies. This partnership was instrumental in his rise, with their projects transforming Moscow's urban landscape. They developed numerous shopping centers and hotels. The company’s portfolio includes commercial, office, warehouse, and hotel real estate in Moscow and Flotilla Radisson Royal on the Moskva River.
Key Business Strategies
Iliev's key business strategy involves acquiring and developing prime real estate locations. Key projects include the Evropeyskiy shopping center, Radisson Collection Hotel (formerly Hotel Ukraina), and Food City. His focus on creating high-quality, recognizable properties has been a key driver of his success. The partnership with God Nisanov has been crucial in securing significant projects and expanding their real estate portfolio. In 2021, Kievskaya Ploshchad acquired a 9.8% stake in Samolet, one of the largest mass housing developers in Russia.
Philanthropy
Iliev is involved in various charitable initiatives. He supports organizations like Life Line, Give Life, and the Jewish school Cheder Menachem in Moscow. His philanthropic efforts include contributions to educational projects, cultural institutions, and sports clubs. He has also donated to renovate the interior of a temple in Sofrino and provided support to the Dynamo Sports Club for the development of physical education and sports in Russia.
