Vladimir Nikolaevich Nikolaev was a renowned Russian architect and academician of the Imperial Academy of Arts, as well as an active public figure and one of the most productive builders in Kyiv. He was born in 1847 and passed away in 1911.

From 1864 to 1870, Vladimir Nikolaevich studied architecture at the Imperial Academy of Arts. Upon graduation, he was awarded a small silver medal for a country club project and a large encouragement medal for the stability calculation of a stone church. That same year, he completed his course of studies. In 1871, Nikolaev received a large silver medal for a concert hall project, in 1891 he was awarded the title of class artist of the 3rd degree, and in 1892, he was granted the title of academician. In Kyiv, he oversaw the reinforcement of St. Vladimir's Cathedral, created monuments to Nicholas I and Bohdan Khmelnytsky, and built St. Nicholas Cathedral on the grounds of the Pokrovsky Women's Monastery. He held the positions of city architect (in 1873 and 1887) and diocesan architect (in 1875 and 1898), was the architect of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (in 1893 and 1899), a member of the city council, and a member of the city administration. Nikolaev headed the board of the Kyiv Literary and Artistic Society and the architectural department of the Kyiv branch of the Imperial Russian Technical Society. He was one of the founders and the permanent director of the Kyiv Art School. Over nearly forty years of work in Kyiv, the architect built 18 churches, 3 monuments, 27 public buildings, and numerous private houses.

Vladimir Nikolaev also wrote several works on architecture, restoration, and architectural legislation. His son Hippolyte continued his father's work and became the city architect of Kyiv in 1892 and 1917. His second son, Leonid, chose a career as a pianist and educator. Vladimir Nikolaevich was buried at Askold's Grave, but his tombstone has not survived.