Every city has its unique appearance and characteristic architectural features. Vladivostok is no exception. Today, we will take a virtual stroll along Svetlanskaya Street and look at the cultural heritage monuments of the peoples of Russia of regional significance. These buildings were made possible by merchants Gustav Kunst and Gustav Albers. Since the 1860s, German entrepreneurs actively traded in Vladivostok, particularly supplying seaweed and sea cucumbers to China. Over time, their business expanded, and the number of employees grew, necessitating their housing. Kunst and Albers then decided to build a separate quarter for their workers.

Unfortunately, the name of the architect of these buildings remains unknown. However, judging by the expressiveness of the structures, he had good taste. The volume of the workers' "dormitories" is emphasized by the protruding rectangular bay windows at the corners of the facades, topped with four-sided spire roofs. The windows are adorned with carved lintels and cornices. Each house had its own name: the first was called Fernsicht (translated from German as "Outlook"), the second, Siberia, and the third, Karlsruhe.

It is worth noting that Kunst and Albers not only built houses for their employees but also tried to help them. For example, they opened a free canteen for 100 people and organized leisure activities, including boat trips and picnics. The central office was equipped with the latest technology of that time: it had a telephone and electricity.

In 1913, the company's annual turnover reached 16 million rubles, making it the most profitable in the Far East. However, with the advent of Soviet power, the company ceased to exist, and the buildings were nationalized. Today, various offices and private firms are located in these structures. Fortunately, there are no plans to demolish the old buildings; they remain monuments of the cultural heritage of the peoples of Russia of regional significance.