Once again, Moscow became the capital of Russia after the events of 1917. It was then that members of the government and various officials began to move to Belokamennaya. But with housing for high-ranking settlers there were some difficulties. It was then that it was decided to begin a grandiose construction, as a result of which a house appeared on the embankment. Did the keys to new apartments bring happiness to high-ranking residents, and is it possible to live in this building today?
From project to building of the future
The correct name of the government house is the House of Soviets of the CEC and the Council of People's Commissars, but the people called it differently. The place for the construction of a skyscraper was chosen long enough. But in the end, they decided to build "in the swamp" - on the site of the Wine and Salt Yard, at the intersection of Bersenevskaya Embankment and All Saints Street. The construction was started in 1928, special attention was paid to the arrangement of the foundation. In 1931, the house on the embankment already received the first tenants. The total cost of construction was determined at 24 million rubles. In 1933, the magnificent new building also received a new address: Vsekhsvyatskaya Street was renamed Serafimovich Street.
All for their
The finished house was far ahead of its time. After cramped hotel rooms, residents were able to enter the spacious apartments of 100 m2, fully finished and furnished. The government new building offered its residents all amenities: a garbage chute in the kitchen, hot and cold water, elevators, telephones. The word "infrastructure" was not yet known in the USSR, but in one house there was everything necessary for life. This is a cinema, a club, a dining room, a shop, a first-aid post, a kindergarten, a laundry, a post office and other organizations. The house on the embankment in Moscow was really unique for its time. It is worth saying only that a significant part of the country's population then huddled in barracks and communal apartments without any conditions. At first, happy new settlers sincerely rejoiced at all the blessings and successfully lived in apartments. However, this happiness did not last long.
Dark days in the history of the house
Already in 1934, the first arrests of residents of the house took place. At first, this seemed like some kind of misunderstanding, well, can there really be the most-most deserved enemies of the people? However, soon the tenants of the government house fell into a real panic. They came for everyone, regardless of ranks and ranks. Not only civil servants, but also all their families disappeared, and the apartments were sealed up. In total, about 800 people living in this unfortunate house were repressed. Many residents, feeling a suspicious look on themselves, without waiting for the executioners to arrive, ended their lives on their own initiative. If light appeared in the windows at night - the neighbors knew that they had already come for someone. In the worst of times, half of the house always remained dark and lifeless. The situation changed with the outbreak of World War II, then all the residents were evacuated, and after the Victory many returned, empty apartments went to new heroes.
Museum of Local Lore of a Bygone Age
After the war, the house on the embankment begins its completely new peaceful history. In 1977, a complete reconstruction was carried out. All entrances were repaired, many large apartments were redeveloped into a somewhat more modest in area. Around the same time, tenants finally began to settle in their own way, acquiring new furniture and making repairs.
Today, this building houses offices of reputable, including foreign companies, fashionable beauty salons and shops. Residential apartments are considered to be elite, and you can buy them, but only the cost of such an acquisition is quite high. There is also a local history museum - “House on the Embankment” - its official name. The exposition is dedicated to the history of the building, all the events that took place here and former residents. In the museum you can see the authentic furniture of the time of the settlement of the legendary skyscraper, the personal belongings of the people who lived here. Among the exhibits you can see a stuffed penguin, a wristwatch from the “Muscovites from Roosevelt” series, books written by residents of the house and other authors about the house itself.
“House on the Embankment” (museum): opening hours and exact address.
The exact address of the legendary building: the city of Moscow, st. Serafimovich, house 2.
The exposition dedicated to the history of the building is located in the first entrance. The museum is open all days except Monday. You can book an excursion by phone: (495) 959-49-36. You can get to the legendary house by public transport. The nearest metro stations are Oktyabrskaya, Kropotkinskaya and Polyanka, then by ground transport to the Udarnik Cinema stop.
It is interesting not only to visit the museum, but also to inspect the house on the waterfront independently. It has only 25 entrances, one of which does not have residential apartments, a cozy courtyard and an impressive facade are literally saturated with the spirit of bygone eras. Also, the house boasts an abundance of plaques - only outside there are 25, and in the porches you can see 6 more.