GAZPROM has appointed Edinburgh architects RMJM to design the Russian gas and oil group's new energy-saving headquarters and business centre in St Petersburg.

The $3 billion (£1.87bn) project will be built on a 17-hectare brownfield site at Lakhta, on the outskirts of the city previously known as Leningrad. RMJM said the development will meet the highest standards of sustainability and energy efficiency.

The Scottish firm was chosen for its track record for delivering landmark low-energy projects and its expertise in masterplanning and tall building design.

Tony Kettle, at RMJM’s European studio in Edinburgh, will lead the design team and will draw on the talents of the company’s St Petersburg practice.

The centrepiece of the project will be one of Europe’s tallest towers, housing Gazprom’s new headquarters.

A 426-metre tower is one of the options being considered by the designers.

The 330,000-square metre complex will also include commercial office space as well as retail, leisure and residential developments.

Mr Kettle said: “We are delighted Gazprom has chosen RMJM to develop such an iconic and pioneering project that promises to revitalise a brownfield site on the outskirts of St Petersburg and attract a huge amount of new investment to the city.”