Walking along Kirov Avenue, it is impossible not to notice the building of the 'Volga' hotel. If you look up, you can see sculptures and an unusual roof. This building is considered one of two federal monuments on the avenue.

In the mid-19th century, the plot belonged to Prince Kutkin. I.Ya. Slavin recalled that on the site of the current 'Astoria' stood a long mansion with a mezzanine, resembling a noble estate. In the prince's deserted courtyard, exhibitions, theatrical and circus performances were held, and there was also a restaurant and a cinema.

In 1911, Saratov entrepreneur D.V. Tikhomirov acquired this plot. Various buildings were located here, including the electric theater 'Echo of Art', which was demolished in 1912. In its place, a ticket booth, a projection booth, and a tea sales pavilion were built.

In 1913, Tikhomirov decided to construct a 5-story apartment building 'Central Passage' on the site, but the city council did not support the idea of building a theater. As a result, the construction of a hotel with 200 rooms and shops on the first floor began. The project was developed by architect Semyon Kalistratov.

Construction began in the spring of 1914, but soon it was complicated by World War I. Prices for materials rose, and there was a shortage of workers. Tikhomirov tried to sell the unfinished building, but ultimately completed it with the help of other merchants, forming a partnership.

The hotel was named 'Astoria', like the famous hotels in the capital and New York. There is a misconception that the sculptures on the building were created by Pavel Dunduk, but in fact, they were authored by Nikolai Volkonsky, with V.K. Fyodorov as the sculptor.

Over time, the Gothic elements disappeared, and the sculptures of the youths changed their poses. Legend has it that the knights symbolize guards, and the youths, messengers, but old photographs cast doubt on this version.

The hotel opened in early 1917 with 83 rooms, but the public areas were not completed. After the revolution, the building was used for the regional economic council and as a dormitory, and in 1925 it became a hotel again. It hosted honored guests, including V.V. Mayakovsky.

In 1956, the hotel was renamed 'Volga'. In the 1960s, reconstruction was planned, but it was not carried out.