A small one-story mansion on Gagarin Lane, not far from Chertolsky, is surrounded by legends. Most often, they are related to the "Masonic past" of the owners and "secret gatherings" of Freemasons. The reason for this is the symbols above the entrance to the house. However, if you study them closely and know the profession of the former owner, it becomes clear that he has no relation to Freemasonry.

The stone house was built soon after the fire in Moscow in 1812 and expanded in 1845. In 1895, it was acquired by civil architect N.G. Faleev, who created his own mansion based on the old building. The core of the house retains wooden walls and partitions, while new parts were built of brick. At that time, the facade acquired a modern appearance.

Nikolai Grigoryevich Faleev, the author and owner of the house, graduated from the Moscow Real School and the Institute of Civil Engineers, receiving a title and a gold medal for academic achievements. He is credited with the designs of the income house on Gagarin in Varsanofyevsky Lane, the State Wine Warehouses on Volochaevskaya Street, the Ermakov Technical School on Prechistenka Embankment, and the Faleevs' income house in Milyutin Lane. Most of his buildings are examples of eclecticism, combining elements of different styles. The house on Gagarin Lane is no exception: it features traits of the Renaissance, Empire, and Baroque. The latter includes small shells above the windows and figures of winged lions at the corners of the house. Above the windows is an ornamental band in the form of a meander with a stylized swastika. The fence with a grille, built simultaneously with the house, has survived to this day.

Particular attention is drawn to the composition above the entrance: crossed triangle, trowel, axe, pickaxe, compass, and rope. This is often perceived as Masonic symbols, but Faleev wanted to show his affiliation with civil engineers. These tools were the professional emblem of civil engineers, established by the laws of the Russian Empire. Several private mansions of architects in Moscow were adorned with similar symbols, but they have only survived in Gagarin Lane. To the right of the emblem on the facade is a rosette with two vertical crossbars, a stylized house number sign, No. 11.

After the revolution, the mansion was nationalized and transferred to the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs (NKID), which used it as a "guest house" for foreign diplomats and notable foreigners. It was officially called "the 10th house of the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs." Among the guests was American journalist John Reed, founder of the Communist Party of the USA, who worked in the Comintern and authored the book "Ten Days That Shook the World," describing the October Revolution in Russia. Reed died here, and his ashes were buried by the Kremlin wall.

By the 2000s, the facade of the building had fallen into disrepair and began to crumble, threatening the loss of architectural decor. In 2010-2011, the house was restored: the surviving parts of the stucco were reinforced, and the lost ones were recreated. The layout of the house and many interior details, such as stucco, tiled and radiator stoves, a fireplace with cast iron, oak parquet, and marble floors, have been completely preserved. The mansion is still under the jurisdiction of the diplomatic agency, and it is planned to house a foreign embassy here.