The area where the Middle Trading Rows are located began to develop in the 14th century, when a large market was organized on the site of the main streets leading from the white-stone Kremlin and Red Square. Over time, shops selling similar goods became compactly located, forming trading rows. The trade was repeatedly subjected to fires and was restored. At the end of the 16th century, a decree was issued for the construction of stone shops, and then three quarters of trading rows were formed: Upper, Middle, and Lower.

After the fire of 1812, architect O. Bove rebuilt the Upper and Middle Trading Rows, completing the work in 1816.

By the end of the 19th century, the buildings had deteriorated, and the architectural appearance of Red Square changed with the emergence of the Historical Museum. The question of a new reconstruction arose. From 1888 to 1893, the Upper Rows were reconstructed (architect A. Pomerantsev), and then it was the turn of the Middle Rows. The construction was entrusted to R. Klein and was completed by 1893.

The Middle Trading Rows included several buildings: the main "ring" building around the perimeter of the block and four two-story internal buildings, forming a block with narrow streets. The facade of the outer building consists of two parts of different heights, as the building is located on a slope towards the Moscow River. The first floor is decorated with a series of semicircular arches, above which on the second floor are two windows framed by an arch. The windows of the third floor are adorned with lintels. The building is executed in the "neo-Russian" style with many decorative elements.

Large basements were arranged under the buildings with an entrance from Varvarka. Their technical equipment was advanced for that time: central heating, ventilation, freight elevators, and its own power station.

After 1917, the buildings of the Middle Trading Rows housed the Second House of the Revolutionary Military Council. Until 2000, the complex was under the Ministry of Defense's balance. Since the 1930s, projects have been developed that provided for the demolition of all trading rows. The Lower Rows were demolished in the 1960s. Now the Middle Trading Rows are being reconstructed, all four internal buildings have been demolished, and the central one has been partially redesigned.

In 2000, the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Federal Complex 'Kremlin'", subordinate to the Presidential Administration, became the main customer for the reconstruction of the Middle Trading Rows. It was planned to build a hotel complex based on them, but the deadlines for completion were repeatedly postponed. In June 2012, the President of the Russian Federation proposed to transfer the Middle Trading Rows to the "Moscow Kremlin" museum.