Opening Date and History

In the late 18th century, the site of the modern Bread Lane was owned by the manufacturer A. Gmurov, but details about the construction of that time have not survived. In the early 19th century, there was a estate of brigadier V. A. Melgunov, built according to traditional principles: a wooden main house with a stone wing faced the street, while the outbuildings formed a courtyard. The fire of 1812 severely damaged the buildings, but soon the estate was restored and retained its appearance until the mid-19th century.

Reconstruction

In 1868, merchant S. S. Polyakov began a large-scale reconstruction of the site. Now the property had a perimeter layout typical of apartment buildings. According to the project by architect K. V. Grinevsky, a two-story stone house with a passage arch in the center leading to the courtyard was built along the red line of Bread Lane. The layout and composition of the house retained elements of classicism: the second floor with a suite of ceremonial rooms faced the main facade, while the living rooms faced the courtyard. The building was divided into several separate apartments, which were rented out, and the owner also lived here.

Owners and Notable Personalities

In the 1910s, one of the apartments was rented by the famous Russian scientist D. N. Anuchin. Dmitry Nikolaevich was a professor and honorary member of Moscow University, a pioneer in the scientific study of geography, anthropology, and ethnography in Russia. He was a companion of the chairman of the Moscow Archaeological Society and contributed to the development of professional archaeological research. Anuchin created museums of geography and anthropology at the university and founded limnology, beginning the systematic study of lakes in Russia. His scientific works are still considered fundamental.

The building is executed in the brick style popular in the 1870s-1880s. The main facade is divided into two tiers and richly decorated. On either side of the arch are two entrances, separated by pilasters.

The development of the site remained unchanged until the 1950s, when some structures of the former estate were demolished, the fire wall and fence were dismantled, but the appearance of the main house changed little. Elements of decor from the second half of the 19th century have been preserved in the interiors.