One of Moscow’s places to be, the culture and party hub Red October, has been given a reprieve.

It was slated for a massive overhaul, but the powers that be have now scaled down plans after striking a deal with developers. Instead of 270,000 square meters, just 40,000 will be redeveloped.

There was uproar after one of Moscow’s newspapers reported that a new agreement on the area’s security has been signed, allowing developers to build a new residential complex on the site of the former chocolate factory.

There was widespread discontent among many Muscovites at the rumors of the redevelopment project. Bloggers set up a Facebook page in protest against the project and started collecting signatures of those sharing their outrage, with some even calling for a rally.

In the 1970s, the area was the site of the famous Red October chocolate factory. When the factory moved out, developers tried to build an elite development there, but were checked by the 2008 crisis. The offices in the area are rented by numerous TV stations, newspapers and art galleries.