The popularity and fame of this unique department store has spread far beyond the limits of the Northern capital. This is the largest store in St. Petersburg, and the architectural heritage of the twentieth century.
History of DLT
The monumental glazed building in the very heart of Petersburg is known to many as a “luxury” store, but at the beginning of its existence everything was different. The history of the Leningrad Trade House is very interesting. At the time the construction of the department store was underway, it was understood that in this building trade would be organized exclusively for persons serving in the guards garrison.
Opening, opening, features of the department store
A site previously owned by Artemy Volynsky, a Russian diplomat, was selected. It was planned to build trading floors, a tenement house and a residential building. To implement the plans, an international competition of projects for the building of the Department of the Guard society was announced. In 1907, following the results of the competition, the candidacy of the Russian architect Ernest Virrich was approved.
The huge department store was built in eight months, and on December 7, 1909 the official opening took place. The new store was called the Trading House of the Guard Economic Society, as the construction was carried out thanks to cash contributions from guard officers. The background to this construction is that in those years Russian tailors sewed all service uniforms to private officers. This caused some difficulties due to numerous fittings and frequent delays in doing the work. In addition, private sewing was very expensive. The officers decided that it was necessary to do something with this state of affairs and look for a way out of this situation. It was decided to create an association of like-minded people, raise funds and build a store for their own needs. Everything turned out as planned. With the opening of a new trading establishment, officers were given the opportunity to acquire their uniforms in one trip to the store. It was new to the time.
The result of the construction made a splash. The building looked ultramodern, since the use of reinforced concrete structures in architecture has not yet been practiced. The facade was attended by elements such as wreaths of cast iron, pilasters, pediments, and atriums added additional lighting inside. Visitors were welcomed by exquisitely dressed staff. For convenience, you could use electric elevators. By 1912, the department store expanded by joining a nearby building, and received its modern name DLT in the 30s.
War and post-war time
During the Great Patriotic War, the store continued to operate. Its employees lived here, in the Leningrad Trade House. In the post-war period, DLT was not much different from other trading establishments. Unfortunately, here you could see the queue, and the release of goods on the cards. The only difference from other similar institutions was the magic that DLT gave its visitors on New Year's holidays. Here one could see the chic design of the store’s space, elegant spruces, bazaars, amazing toys in the department for children. Many came to see all this magnificence just because the cost of goods for most buyers was very high. Now the generation born in the 80s, with warmth and nostalgia recalls the Leningrad Trade House on Bolshaya Konyushennaya, its unique atmosphere, which was present at that time.
DLT these days
Over time, the department store needed an update. In 2005, a large-scale reconstruction began. Since that year, the department store is owned by Mercury, a leader in luxury services. In September 2012, the renewed giant again opened its doors to visitors. Perhaps, only the vintage stairs, lamps and railings, made using the forging technique, and the glass ceiling — the dome — now resemble the former Leningrad Trade House.
Store Interior
More than seven hundred different names of world famous brands can be found on 6 floors of DLT with a total area of ​​32 thousand square meters. Each category of goods has a separate floor. For example, the ground floor is reserved for various jewelry, cosmetics, perfumes, accessories and other things. It also houses a restaurant with a very original menu. For women’s and men’s clothes of “luxury” class - the second and third floors, and the fourth is presented exclusively by designer clothes. Many famous personalities come here. Not so long ago, the fifth floor was opened for the children's assortment, as well as the play area. Therefore, in the House of Leningrad Trade, located at: Bolshaya Konyushennaya street, 21-23A, you can find everything you can imagine. Sophisticated buyers with the most extraordinary requests will surely pick up something for themselves and their friends here.
For internet users
St. Petersburg DLT keeps pace with the times and provides an opportunity to use the website and the Internet order for its guests and customers. The site contains in detail and clearly all the necessary information. Here you can find out about brands represented in the department store, clarify information on loyalty cards and gift certificates, get acquainted with news, promotions, holiday events, take an interest in upcoming events and read thematic articles.
For young visitors
Separately, we need to dwell on the proposals of DLT in St. Petersburg for the children's segment. In addition to clothes, toys, various accessories for babies, here you can plunge into a real fairy tale. This is especially felt during the New Year's bustle. During this period, you definitely need to visit this amazing store with your children! Various master classes are regularly held in the game zone, under the strict guidance of experienced animators "family weekends" are organized.
But special magic happens just before the New Year. A delightfully decorated store invites you to visit a themed Christmas tree holiday. You can get to the children's theater performance, learn in the workshop on the creation of Christmas decorations and New Year cards, and most importantly - get gifts from DLT. These impressions are guaranteed to be enough for the whole next year for both children and their parents!
Helpful information
The Leningrad Trade House is located in the central part of the city, not far from Nevsky Prospekt. His address, as mentioned: Bolshaya Konyushennaya street, 21-23.
You can enjoy the grandeur and luxurious boutiques of the department store by visiting the Leningrad Trade House, which is open from 10:00 in the morning until 22:00 in the evening, without days off and holidays.
DLT is always happy for its guests
Shopping is sometimes not an easy task. Where to go? What shops to visit? What outlets combine the widest possible coverage of brands, services, and entertainment? What to show, where to go with guests? If there is not much time in reserve, the task becomes even more complicated. The House of Leningrad Trade helps to cope with such difficulties, since any necessary goods can be found on its premises.
The central department store is happy to welcome all its visitors. Its working hours are very convenient, this is confirmed by city guests and residents of St. Petersburg, who can easily look here at the end of the working day. Since the store has no days off, you can plan its visit at any convenient time.
The department store will be especially appreciated by those who closely monitor the latest trends in fashion and try to always be dressed “with a needle”. DLT offers style, elegance and new design solutions on time and in full. Here you can find everything at once, without spending extra time visiting other stores. And ongoing promotions will help to purchase the goods you like much more profitably. After enjoying shopping, you can relax with the children in the play area or stop by for a meal in the restaurant.
It is important to note that the convenient location of the department store makes it possible to combine shopping with visits to other historical places of the city, of which there are quite a lot. The Hermitage, the Kazan Cathedral, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, the Admiralty, Palace Square and some other attractions are located on foot from the DLT. It will turn out to combine the useful with the pleasant.
The Leningrad Trade House, the address of which is given in the article, is waiting for its visitors! Having been once in this wonderful department store, you will definitely want to come back here.