A few years ago, while hurrying somewhere down Baskov Lane in Saint Petersburg, I noticed an interesting residential complex with a large courtyard. I remember that the building made a great impression on me: it stood out strikingly from all the neighboring structures due to its monumental nature and unusual facades, reminiscent of the architecture of Russian wooden houses. Today, I’d like to share the story and photographs of this place with you.
A Bit of History
The residential complex at the intersection of Baskov Lane and Korolenko Street is called "Russian House." The building appeared here relatively recently, constructed between 2015 and 2018. A 1925 map shows that this area once contained several buildings, and in the northern part of the modern "Russian House," there was the now non-existent Brigadny Lane.
You can find online panoramas of the area from 2009, showing the structures of an autobase, the last building that stood on the site of the "Russian House."
The project for the residential complex was prepared by the architectural firm "Evgeny Gerasimov and Partners," with E.L. Gerasimov leading the team. This same company worked on the designs for the "Nevskaya Ratusha" and the building for the "Saint Petersburg" bank on Maloohinsky Avenue. In 2019, "Russian House" became one of the winners of The International Architecture Awards.
The construction of the complex was handled by "LSR Group," one of the top three developers in the country. According to the company's website, they are currently building more than twenty residential complexes in various parts of the city. The "LSR Group" portfolio also includes projects in Moscow and Yekaterinburg.
The design and layout of the "Russian House" incorporate references to the architecture of our city and ancient Russian building traditions. The most prominent reference to Saint Petersburg's buildings is the vast grand courtyard (cour d'honneur), which is found in the layout of many buildings in the city on the Neva. The first examples that come to mind are the Three Benois House and the House of the Petrograd Society of Permanent Apartments, both located on Kamennoostrovsky Avenue.
The facades and roof of the building are designed with references to ancient Russian architecture. The project authors say they drew inspiration from the design of the Feodorovsky Settlement in Tsarskoye Selo and the rental building of A.M. Tupikov.
The building is considered a premium residential complex. On one real estate website, I found several listings with the address of the "Russian House." The price for a one-bedroom apartment starts at 32 million rubles. A three-bedroom apartment of 142 square meters will cost over 87 million rubles. The complex houses a total of 395 residential units.
The building is already occupied, so if you don’t have acquaintances living there, it will be difficult to walk around the premises. However, you can include the building in your architectural tour of this part of the city. Nearby, you’ll find the Zinaida Yusupova Palace, the Pashkov House, and the S.F. Anglares House.
Have a nice trip!
