Crocus City Hall in the Moscow region is a luxurious concert venue where former US president Donald Trump once hosted a “Miss Universe” contest.
Located just a short walk from a Moscow Metro station and adjacent to the Moscow city ring road, although officially outside the city limits.
The complex, which also includes a shopping center and conference center, hosts events like car shows.
The relatively intimate concert venue has featured a variety of Russian and international stars.
British comedian-turned-politician Eddie Izzard performed a solo show in English there in 2013.
Piknik, a popular rock group dating back to the Soviet era, was scheduled to perform on Friday.
The venue was constructed by real estate developer Aras Agalarov, a prominent figure with strong ties to Trump in Russia.
Agalarov, a Russian citizen born in Azerbaijan, is listed as worth $1.2 billion by Forbes in 2021. His company, Crocus Group, specializes in luxury retail and leisure developments.
Forbes Russia reported that Agalarov and his son Emin had taken out personal loans to rescue the business recently.
The father and son were present at the scene of the attack and fire on Friday night, as reported by Russian news agencies.
Gunmen opened fire at the Crocus concert hall in Moscow, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries before a major fire engulfed the building. Source: Getty / Stringer/AFP
Emin Agalarov, also a pop singer, has performed at the venue. He was previously married to the daughter of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.
The Crocus City Hall venue, dedicated to pop singer Muslim Magomayev from Azerbaijan, opened in 2009.
US entrepreneur Trump organized the Miss Universe beauty contest there in 2013, inviting President Vladimir Putin who did not attend.
Emin Agalarov (left) with Donald Trump and Aras Agalarov at a press conference before the final show of the 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. Source: EPA / Sergei Ilnitsky
Shortly after, Trump appeared in one of Emin Agalarov’s music videos, sparking public interest in their connection during the presidential election.
In June 2016, Emin Agalarov arranged a meeting between Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, Paul Manafort, and a Russian lawyer offering damaging information on Hillary Clinton. Agalarov described the meeting as unproductive and useless.
