Today, the residence of the British ambassador is located at 14 Sofiyskaya Embankment in Moscow. In the 1990s, Queen Elizabeth II stayed here. She was so impressed by the architecture and decor of the building that she called it 'the most beautiful British residence in the world.' These words were not an exaggeration, as the house truly is one of the bright adornments of Moscow. It originally belonged to the merchant Ivan Kharitonenkov.

A former peasant who became wealthy from selling sugar and opening several factories decided to build a luxurious mansion for himself. Several architects worked on its creation, aiming to give the estate features of the French Renaissance, while the interiors were designed in the style of a Gothic castle. Each room had its unique style. For example, the dining room was adorned with a magnificent fireplace and oak buffets with fine carvings, finished with green stone. The central room was the White Hall, where celebrations, balls, and various events took place. From there, a path led to the Pink Drawing Room, from the balcony of which there was a stunning view of the Kremlin.

Ivan Kharitonenkov was also a great art lover and amassed an impressive collection of paintings by renowned artists such as Aivazovsky, Repin, Kiprensky, Vasnetsov, Polenov, Surikov, and others. The entrepreneur's family lived here until 1918, after which, unable to withstand the circumstances, they moved abroad. For a time, the house came under the ownership of the Red Cross.

The further history of the estate is connected with the English. Since 1931, their embassy has been located here. Over the years, notable figures such as writer Herbert Wells, dancer Isadora Duncan, and American businessman Armand Hammer have visited 'Kharitonenkov.' In 1944, Winston Churchill hosted a dinner for Stalin here. To ensure Joseph Vissarionovich's safety, so many Chekists were involved that even Prosecutor General Andrei Vyshinsky joked: 'As you can see, the Red Army has achieved another victory, capturing the British embassy.'