In Glazovsky Lane in Moscow stands a unique mansion from the late 19th century, adorned with a mosaic panel depicting a lion. This is how architect Lev Kekushev left his mark in history. At that time, the Art Nouveau style was gaining popularity in Western Europe, but it was not yet widely known in Russia. Kekushev decided to build the first mansion in Moscow in this style. He approached the task with enthusiasm, using Tarusa marble, rare porcelain, and expensive parquet.

The building was divided into several rooms: the basement housed the boiler room, cellar, and staff bedrooms; the first floor contained offices, a kitchen, and a dining room, while the second floor was designated for rest rooms. The rooms were located next to a large staircase inside the house, and another staircase led to the attic and two terraces. The facade of the house featured mosaics with marine motifs and the image of a lion.

The mansion was built in just 10 months, but Kekushev did not live in it and put it up for sale for 120,000 rubles. The Art Nouveau building was purchased by industrialist Otto List, and the mansion still bears his name. However, the flourishing of the house is associated with Natalia, the wife of conductor Sergey Kusevitsky.

Thanks to Natalia, the mansion became a cultural center of Moscow. Famous figures such as Fyodor Shalyapin, Sergey Prokofiev, Alexander Scriabin, Sergey Diaghilev, and French composer Claude Debussy visited here. It was in this house that the fate of young Boris Pasternak was decided when Scriabin advised him to transfer from the law faculty to philosophy.

Funny stories also occurred in the house. Claude Debussy taught Kusevitskaya's thrush to whistle a melody, which annoyed Scriabin. He tried to retrain the bird, but the thrush seemed to love Debussy's melody so much that it would not yield to persuasion.