Two income houses numbered 21 now face the New Arbat. In building No. 21a, constructed in 1912 by architect O. G. Piotrovich, N. V. Basnin, the owner of an extensive collection of engravings, including Russian graphics and works from all Western European schools, lived before the revolution. All 14,000 of his engravings, among which were rare specimens, are now housed in the State Museum of Fine Arts named after A. S. Pushkin.

In building No. 21b, erected in 1905 by architect L. L. Kravetsky, the British consulate was located before the revolution. Here worked Sir Robert Bruce Lockhart, a well-known British diplomat, secret agent, journalist, and writer, who played a significant role in the history of Soviet Russia.

Interestingly, these income houses, remaining between the high-rises of the New Arbat, have their main facades facing Molchanovka, while their rear courtyard sides face the New Arbat. Architects long sought ways to improve the appearance of the buildings from the Arbat side. Ultimately, after the renovations of the 1990s, the buildings were adorned with towers and other decorative elements.