The urban estate on Sadovaya-Spasskaya Street was built in 1816 by the court counselor Praskovya Esaulova. In 1867, the building underwent significant reconstruction, after which the famous patron S. I. Mamontov settled here. His salon became a meeting place for cultural and artistic figures such as F. I. Shalyapin, V. M. Vasnetsov, M. A. Vrubel, and S. V. Rachmaninoff.

In addition to Mamontov's urban estate, the courtyard wing built in the 1870s has survived to this day. In 1891 and 1893, the wing was raised at the end according to the design of artist M. A. Vrubel, who characterized the style of his creation as "Roman-Byzantine." In 1895 and 1896, the entire estate building was raised, and in 1911, the facades were partially altered. After these changes, the architectural style of the wing can be called "brick."

The facades of the wing were decorated with majolica created by M. A. Vrubel; however, this decor has not survived. Above the entrance gates was a lion's mask. In the interiors, which also have not reached our days, majolica was widely used. Two majolica fireplaces and two stoves, made according to Vrubel's sketches, are now exhibited in the museum-reserve "Abramtsevo."

In 1898, the estate was mortgaged due to Mamontov's financial difficulties. In 1912, the main house housed the men's gymnasium of Strakhov.