Every time I find myself at the intersection of the Obvodny Canal and Moskovsky Avenue, I notice the monumental building with its arched facade. This is the former Frunzensky Department Store. Today, I will introduce you to the history of this place.
How to Get There by Metro
The address of the building is 60/129 Moskovsky Avenue. The easiest way to get there is from the metro stations "Technological Institute," "Frunzenskaya," or "Baltiyskaya."
Despite the name of this architectural monument, there is no department store here now, so it’s more convenient to include a visit to the building in a walking tour alongside other architectural landmarks in the area. Nearby are the Church of the Resurrection of Christ and the Russian Railway Museum.
A Bit of History
Before the construction of the majestic department store, there were only two small houses on this site, and the rest of the area was vacant. Initially, the department store was supposed to be named after October, but during construction, the boundaries of city districts changed, and the building ended up in the Frunzensky district, receiving its corresponding name.
Construction of the shopping complex began in 1934 and lasted for four years. The project was authored by architects E. I. Katonin, L. S. Katonin, E. M. Sokolov, K. L. Iogansen, and engineer S. I. Katonin. The department store was part of the ceremonial thoroughfare defined in the general plan for Leningrad.
Literature on St. Petersburg architecture notes that the former Frunzensky Department Store combines elements of Constructivism and Stalinist neoclassicism. This is evident in my photographs: while the facade features strict monumental forms with semi-columns and rustication, the courtyard part of the building resembles Constructivist structures lacking elaborate decoration.
In 1988, the Frunzensky Department Store was damaged by a fire and was closed. At the very beginning of the 21st century, it reopened its doors, but the shopping venue never regained its former popularity. Subsequently, there were even plans to demolish the building.
Today, according to online maps, there is a business center, an insurance company, a coffee shop, a modeling agency, and other industrial and commercial enterprises housed in the former department store.
The building of the former Frunzensky Department Store is listed as a cultural heritage site in St. Petersburg.
Not long ago, I wrote about the house of Y. I. Perets, which is also an architectural monument located on Moskovsky Avenue in the city. I invite you to continue exploring interesting places in St. Petersburg through the article on the history of this building.
Have a nice trip!
