Information about the building

In 1896, a unique building in Chinese style, a "pagoda house," appeared in Moscow on Myasnitskaya Street. Its creation is linked to two tea merchants from the Perlov family, who argued over the right to host the Chancellor of the Qing Empire, Li Hongzhang, who arrived for the coronation of Nicholas II to sign a treaty for the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Sergey Vasilyevich Perlov, the owner of the house on Myasnitskaya, decided to attract the guest's attention by creating a building in a style reminiscent of Chinese architecture. The three-story structure was built three years earlier by architect R. Klein, while K. Hippius added Chinese elements: ornamentation, carvings, and a pagoda turret on the roof.

The Chinese theme continued in the store's interior: painted ceilings, traditional colors of blue and red with gold, images of dragons, birds, bamboo, and blooming cherry blossoms. The interior was complemented by items from China: huge vases, sculptures, lanterns, and a large carpet on the floor.

Above the entrance, the coat of arms of the Perlov family was installed: a tea bush on a azure shield with pearls. According to legend, the surname Perlov comes from the word "pearl."

Although Li Hongzhang never visited the house, its appearance became excellent advertising for the tea shop. The Perlovs had been trading tea since the 18th century and played a significant role in popularizing this beverage. The company "Sergey Vasilyevich Perlov and Co." owned several stores in Moscow, with the main office located on Myasnitskaya. The building also housed a tea packaging factory and residential apartments.

After 1917, the house was nationalized, but the shop on the first floor remained, while the upper floors were converted into communal apartments.

Today, the building continues to serve its historical function, as the "Tea-Coffee" store still operates here.

Restoration

In the 1990s, the building suffered significant damage but was restored by the "Special Project Restoration" institute in the 2000s. In 2015, as part of the "My Street" program, the facades were updated and varnished. In 2017, there were rumors about the store's closure due to rising rent, but as of 2022, it continues to operate.