Once, the mansion on Prechistenka in Moscow was the main meeting and entertainment place in the city. Its history is rich with events. It is known that since the late 18th century, the estate belonged to Ivan Petrovich Arkharov, famous for his eccentricity and extravagance. Under Paul I, he held the position of chief police master, and his police, nicknamed the 'Arkharov regiment,' strictly maintained order, sometimes excessively so.

Arkharov himself was known as a lover of noisy parties and balls that could last for several days. He often said, 'What shall I offer my dear guest? Just command, and I will roast any daughter of mine for you.' In 1797, his career ended in an anecdotal fashion. In an effort to please the emperor, Arkharov ordered the fences of Moscow to be painted in a style that Paul I liked in the Baltic. However, the emperor did not like it, and Arkharov was exiled to Tambov.

After that, the house passed to the nobleman Ivan Naryshkin. His nephew, who participated in the Decembrist uprising, was convicted and exiled but sometimes appeared here secretly. It was believed that he met Gogol on Prechistenka when the latter was working on the second volume of 'Dead Souls' and was interested in the fate of the Decembrists. In 1867, the building changed owners again. It was purchased by the wife of industrialist Alexander Konshin and radically reconstructed. Significant funds were spent on the renovation: furniture, paintings, marble, and candlesticks were purchased abroad, and railway cars were converted to deliver stained glass for the Winter Garden.

After the October Revolution of 1917, the building became the House of Scientists, maintaining its reputation as a meeting place. Closed film screenings were held here, and leisure activities for scientists were organized. It was here that Sharik from 'Heart of a Dog' sat, observing a citizen who had just left the Centrohoz.