The "Astoria" hotel, located on St. Isaac's Square, is a strict building in the style of northern modernism, constructed by an English company in the early 20th century. At one time, it was one of the most stylish and modern hotels in the city. Today, "Astoria" continues to uphold the traditions established by its English founders.

The hotel's name is linked to the Astor family, a family of millionaires whose fortune was estimated at 20 million dollars in 1840, making them one of the richest families in the world. In the late 19th century, the Astors built the "Waldorf-Astoria" hotel in New York, which became a symbol of luxury and was designed in the German Renaissance style by architect Henry J. Hardenbergh. John Jacob Astor IV perished on the "Titanic," and in 1912, survivors were accommodated at his family's hotel.

The "Waldorf-Astoria" in New York had 16 floors but was demolished in 1929 to make way for the Empire State Building. The "Astoria" hotel in St. Petersburg was named in honor of this famous building.

The "Astoria" hotel is located in the Admiralty district, within a 10-15 minute walk from Nevsky Prospect and the Hermitage. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. Nearby are Admiralty Avenue, the Mariinsky Palace, and other attractions.

St. Isaac's Square used to have trading rows and various buildings, with construction being chaotic, and many wooden structures burned down in fires. The Admiralty police station also operated here. In 1818, the construction of the Blue Bridge and St. Isaac's Cathedral, one of the main attractions near the hotel, began.

In the mid-19th century, a building appeared near the future "Astoria," where the "Angleterre" hotel was located in 1876. There was also a tenement house and the "Bristol" hotel, owned by the insurer "Russia." In 1907, the owner of the "Bristol" changed, and the building was transferred to the English joint-stock company "Palace Hotel," which decided to build a fashionable hotel on its site. The former tenement house was demolished, and by December 23, 1912, the current building was erected.

The architect of the hotel was Swedish Fedor Lidval, known for his projects in St. Petersburg. The construction was carried out by the company "Weiss&Freitag." The hotel was designed in the style of northern modernism, characterized by severity and conciseness. The building had six floors and a reinforced concrete frame, equipped with elevators, sound insulation, and electric alarms. Each room had a city telephone.

The "Astoria" had 350 rooms, a winter garden, a library, and a restaurant. The architectural project was criticized for its conciseness and minimal decoration. However, the hotel was popular until World War I when it was turned into a hotel for military command and closed in 1916.

During the Soviet period, the building became the "House of the Petrograd Council," where party officials lived. Lenin, Herbert Wells, and other famous personalities stayed here. Later, a sign "Intourist" appeared on the facade, and the hotel operated until the mid-90s. The singer Alexander Vertinsky died here, and films were shot in the rooms, such as "The Incredible Adventures of Italians in Russia."

The "Winter Garden" restaurant has survived to this day. The hotel is now owned by "Rocco Forte Hotels" and has 169 rooms, of which 86 are considered suites. Recently, the facade of the "Astoria" was restored, and the interior was decorated in red and cream tones. Many rooms offer views of St. Isaac's Cathedral and other attractions. The names of famous guests are engraved on plaques near the elevators. Now, "Astoria" and "Angleterre" are united into a single hotel complex, continuing the traditions of high-level service.