In the first half of the 18th century, on Okhotny Ryad, near the now non-existent Church of St. Paraskeva Friday, there was a large estate of Prince V. M. Dolgorukov-Krymsky. Here stood a two-story stone house with a central passage and many service buildings. Prince Vasily Mikhailovich began his military service at the age of thirteen under the command of Field Marshal Minikh. He participated in the Seven Years' War and the Russo-Turkish War (1768, 1774), reaching the rank of general-anshef. In 1780, he was appointed commander-in-chief of Moscow, and in a short time, he managed to do much for the city. The prince passed away in 1782, and two years later, his estate was acquired by the recently established Moscow Noble Assembly.

The old house was rebuilt according to the design of architect M. F. Kazakov. The new building included all the constructions of the Dolgorukov estate. A large ceremonial hall for balls and receptions, later known as the Column Hall, was created in place of the courtyard. The building was oriented with its main facade featuring a six-column Ionic portico and two Tuscan pilaster porticos facing Bolshaya Dmitrovka. The end facade on Okhotny Ryad was adorned with two pairs of Tuscan columns flanking the arched entrance. The center of the building became a huge ballroom surrounded by drawing rooms and offices. The Column Hall got its name due to the Corinthian columns along the walls. In colloquial speech, the building of the Noble Assembly is also referred to by this name.

Initially, only nobles were allowed to the Noble Assembly during holidays. Emperor Alexander I was also a member of the Moscow Assembly. Later, with the new Charter of 1849, honorary citizens, first guild merchants, and artists were granted access by invitation.

The building suffered significant damage in the fire of 1812, but was completely restored two years later by architect A. N. Bakarev, a student of Kazakov.

In February 1827, A. S. Pushkin became a member of the Noble Assembly.

In 1903, the building was reconstructed according to the design of architect A. F. Meisner: a third floor was added, and the facades were altered, replacing the Ionic columns of the porticos with Corinthian ones. The Column Hall remained virtually unchanged, being one of Kazakov's finest creations.

After the revolution, the building was handed over to the trade unions and was renamed the House of Unions. Here, V. I. Lenin spoke at congresses and conferences, and in January 1924, his coffin was placed here. Later, the Soviet people bid farewell to departed leaders in the Column Hall. The former House of the Noble Assembly hosted political trials of the 1930s, chess tournaments, festive concerts, and children's New Year trees.

Today, various public and cultural events are also held here.