Prechistenka, 8. The history of one mansion

Oleg Torbosov, founder of Whitewill, tells us.

Today I bring to your feed a story about a mansion on the Golden Mile that is getting a new life this summer. Whitewill team together with the developer is proud to start selling apartments in the club house with the status address "Prechistenka, 8".

I am not a fan of texts "about high" from developers' advertising booklets. I like to dig into history, find interesting facts and tell them in simple human language, so that the reader smiles in his heart, finding the intersections with his reality.

The merchants certainly knew a lot about the beautiful life. They invited the best foreign and Russian architects and built themselves luxurious estates. These talented businessmen of that time with their money and standards of living largely formed that historical cozy mansion look of Moscow, which is now so nice to Muscovites and guests of the city, and so protected by the state.

Profitable house-estate was usually arranged as follows: on the first floor was located retail, all sorts of shops and imperial boutiques; the second floor was occupied by the owner himself, so as not to climb high on the stairs, because there were no elevators at that time/ The upper floors he rented out to guests. The second floor of merchant mansions is especially appreciated by those who like to live in historical houses for the high flows, which the architect designed for the owner. There were always the most spacious rooms, plenty of air, rich moldings, fireplace portals, parquet, doors.

The mansion on Prechistenka, 8 was originally part of the large estate of Princess Volkonskaya, which occupied half a block of the future "Golden Mile". A little later it was disbanded and part of the buildings were rebuilt or rebuilt again. So in 1883 the house on Prechistenka, 8 got its new look, which has survived to this day. Soon this beautiful building would be acquired by the Istomin family of merchants. They were members of the first highest merchant guild, which means they were in the top 2% of the richest industrialists and entrepreneurs in Russia. It's almost like the Forbes merchant list. Their main asset was the Golutvinsky weaving manufactory in Zamoskvorechye, which by that time they had been actively developing for a dozen years. Business was booming, Istomin's factory was growing and quickly became one of the ten largest in Russia. It employed more than 1000 workers and produced woolen fabrics. Istominy bought in England modern machines and actively built new shops.

Wealthy people - decent housing. I don't know whether the Istomin family had their own personal merchant realtor, but when they decided to buy a decent house, someone competently advised them and the choice fell on this beautiful mansion on Prechistenka. Before the appearance of CIAN was 130 years.

Nikolai Istomin, by the way, was an active member of the Imperial Yacht Club, which is still located nearby, on the arrow of the island. In those years, the yacht club had a good restaurant and those who did not like boats, could just eat delicious food in the company of respectable gentlemen. For general meetings of the members, the club even rented a building on Prechistenka, 7, which was directly across the street from the Istomins' house.

For a hundred and forty years in the world has changed a lot, but the love for quality real estate and good life in wealthy people has not disappeared. Instead of merchants are now big businessmen, instead of carriages - Bentley and Maybachs, instead of boats - modern yachts. But people still love to live beautifully.

In the modern "Prechistenka, 8" the developer will carefully preserve and restore the historical parquet of precious wood, marble window sills, moldings on ceilings and walls, brass ventilation grates, fireplaces with copper fireboxes and massive wooden doors. All apartments in this clubhouse will be finished in Mid Century Art Nouveau style, where historical meanings will be complemented with modern details and materials. The windows overlook the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Prechistenka and a green square. The bathrooms of some lots also have windows that look out into a private green garden.

On sale are three studios of 50 meters, five classic lots of 90 - 170 meters, two duplex apartments of 115 and 135 meters with several terraces and a residence on two floors with a separate entrance of 225 meters. A total of 11 lots. Entry to the project starts at 60,000,000₽. The coolest lots 180 - 190 million rubles. With finishing, yes at such an address prices are sure-safe. There is one more room-retail with an area of 150 meters.

The lots are small, and we're already starting to show our clients.