The Main Administration for Service to the Diplomatic Corps (GlavUpDK) under the MFA of Russia has kicked off a project to restore the mansion of A.V. Demidov at 17 Sadovo-Kudrinskaya Street (Bldgs 1 and 2). The complex is a cultural heritage site managed by GlavUpDK.
Its history dates back to the 18th century, when the site was part of the vast estate belonging to the Odoevsky Princes. In 1776, the land became the property of Prince Alexey Koltsov-Mossalsky and over the next three decades he built a wooden residential building with outbuildings, including sheds, stables, and a bathhouse.
After the Moscow Fire of 1812, the estate was rented out for several years, in particular, to General Alexander Ermolov (brother of Alexey Ermolov, the hero of the Caucasian Wars).
In the early 20th century, “the courtyard with all its residential and non-residential buildings” was bought by Alexander Demidov who owned a linen empire with its center in Vyazniki, Vladimir Province. The new owner orders the project of the mansion from architect Konstantin Razumov, relatively unknown at the time.
By the end of 1912, the two-storey stone residential house with a basement was completed. Deep in the courtyard, there was a two-section residential building with a kitchen, adjoined by a two-car garage and a spacious garden.
After the revolution, the mansion on Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya housed Orphanage No. 4 under the Moscow Department of Public Education and the headquarters of the voluntary society for the promotion of automobile development and the improvement of roads in Russia (Avtodor).
The work undertaken by GlavUpDK’s Major Projects Department at the site will include restoration of the façades, including windows, roof re-covering and renovation of the entire interior in Building 1. The will reinforce external and internal walls, some sections of ceilings, truss system components and all engineering systems. The fence and entrance gates will be restored, with further overall landscaping.
The restoration project will also involve a comprehensive overhaul of Building 2, although it is not a cultural heritage site.
The project will ensure long-term safe use of the building and preserve its historical value for further generations of residents and connoisseurs of architecture.
You can learn more about the mansion’s history here.