Information about the building

Ilinka Street is sometimes referred to as Moscow City, just like Kuznetsky Most Street, due to the large number of banks and commercial institutions. The right side of Ilinka, starting from the Kremlin, was mainly developed under the guidance of architect B.V. Freidenberg. He designed the buildings of the Moscow Merchant Bank (No. 8), the Moscow Trading Bank of Naidenov (No. 10), and the Income House of the Merchant Society. An exception is property No. 12, which houses the complex of the Income House of the Serpukhov City Credit Society, whose final appearance was created in 1904 under the guidance of architect R.I. Klein.

The building is located in one of the oldest districts of Moscow after the Kremlin and includes parts of the historical development. The earliest parts of the Serpukhov Society complex likely date back to the 18th century when the plot belonged to the family of Moldavian prince D. Kantemir, an associate of Peter I. Kantemir's estate largely coincided with the territory of the Serpukhov Society plot, and its buildings were located around the perimeter.

In the 1760s, the plot passed to merchant I.G. Khryashchev, and in the 1780s, his son P.I. Khryashchev reconstructed the development under the guidance of architect M.F. Kazakov, building one of the first income houses in Moscow with shops on the ground floor.

In 1838, the plot was acquired by textile magnate V.I. Vargin. His nephew D. Vargin transferred the plot to the Serpukhov City Credit Society, which turned to R.I. Klein for reconstruction. Klein, who had been working in Moscow since the mid-1880s, received the commission through Old Believer merchant families such as the Khlyudovs and Morozovs, with whom he collaborated.

Klein reconstructed the complex in several stages. In 1888, he developed a project in which the complex was to harmonize with the neighboring building of the Moscow Trading Bank, created by Freidenberg, featuring large "Florentine" windows. In 1904, Klein proposed several new options for reconstruction, one of which was accepted but underwent changes during construction. The final building resembles French castles of the 16th-17th centuries, which is linked to Klein's training in Paris under architect Ch. Garnier.

The facade of the building is adorned with bay windows in the style of French Baroque and a triple arcade of "showcase" windows, which separate medallions depicting griffins. These windows correspond to the Operational Hall, which has retained its original design and is an example of Russian interior design from the early 20th century. The hall is divided by Corinthian columns and decorated with paintings by artist I. Nivinsky.

Since 1918, the building has been used by government institutions of the USSR and the Russian Federation, as evidenced by the emblems of the hammer and sickle on the facade.

Restoration

In 2018-2019, the restoration of the Operational Hall of the Serpukhov Credit Society was carried out. Late finishing elements were removed, the historical color of the walls and the floors made of Mettlach tiles were restored. The pedestals of the columns were recreated, and the ceiling vaults were restored. The monumental ceiling painting, created by I. Nivinsky, was restored. Historical brass chandeliers and window fittings were also restored.

At the "Moscow Restoration, 2019" competition, the project was recognized for the organization and quality of the work.