The exterior of this house resembles the mid-18th century, although its foundation dates back to the 17th century. The main facade of the building faces the Drainage Canal, which did not exist at the time of construction. One of the first owners of the house was merchant Zotov, from whom the vaults on the first floor and the overall layout remain. In the mid-18th century, the first guild merchant Ivan Emelyanov lived here, who altered the facade's appearance during the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna. The building took on its final appearance in 1806 during the era of Classicism, as evidenced by the rustication on the first floor and the semicircular decorations above the windows of the second floor. Later, an iron balcony was added. In the second half of the 19th century, the house housed a men's gymnasium, and after the revolution, it was occupied by various offices, including the meteorological service. Its instruments for measuring wind direction and strength, atmospheric pressure, and temperature are still located in front of the main facade.