Opening date and history

On Sadovaya-Spasskaya Street stands an unremarkable building, distinguished only by its facade with the inscription "Polygraphic Institute" made of white bricks.

The history of the estate begins in 1867 when the house is inherited by S.I. Mamontov, a future patron and entrepreneur. He moved in with his family a year later. Even then, there was a front garden typical of all properties on Sadovaya Street. The Mamontovs renovated the house several times, preserving the front garden and adding a beautiful lattice fence.

Savva expanded the plot and the house. According to N.V. Polenova's recollections, in 1867 the house was like any other: a hall, a living room, a study, a bedroom, and a dining room. Gradually, the house acquired the traditional composition of an urban estate with a wide passage, a front area, a utility yard, and a garden.

Renovation and restoration

The unique lifestyle of the owner transformed an ordinary house into a unique mansion. In 1872, a two-story stone extension was added to the house, which later became three stories. It is likely that architect V.A. Hartman was involved in the changes. Savva wrote to his wife about the construction: "The windows of the third floor have been installed, high up, but the view from there is delightful!" The layout of the floors was characteristic of the Empire style, with a suite of rooms and a three-flight grand staircase.

In 1878, a two-story extension was added. On the lower floor, there was likely a new dining room with access to the garden, and on the upper floor, Savva's study, which was used as a theater and workshop. Here, F.I. Shalyapin would sing for the first time in Moscow, and V.M. Vasnetsov, M.A. Vrubel, and others would work. Savva hosted Emperor Alexander III here.

The ceiling of the dining room and study is finished with stained oak, and the door panels are decorated with carvings based on the designs of artist friends. A painting by Vasnetsov, "Magic Carpet," symbolizing the speed of travel by rail, hangs on the wall of the new dining room.

The new study and dining room surpassed all the rooms in the house. Mosaic flooring was brought from Italy, and the interiors were adorned with wooden carvings and unique majolica.

In the 1890s, a facade in the "Roman-Byzantine" style was added to the stable building based on a design by Vrubel. The majolica fireplaces and stoves made according to his sketches were later taken to Abramtsevo and are now in the museum-reserve. The panel on the fireplace depicts a girl in the sea kingdom, possibly the ballerina Guzikevich.

In 1896, architect L. Kekushev built a one-story power station for the house and the wing, as well as designed a glazed extension, a winter garden. The estate was decorated in the Art Nouveau style.

In 1899, after S.I. Mamontov's arrest, the house was sealed, and in 1893, the artistic valuables were sold off. After being acquitted, Savva settled near Butyrskaya Zastava in a house at the pottery factory "Abramtsevo."

The last construction period began in 1911 when the estate was purchased by M.A. Strakhova. She converted the mansion into a private men's gymnasium, using a German project from engineer A.N. Zelingston's "Polytechnic." Parts of the outer walls of Mamontov's house were incorporated into the new building. In 1911-1913, the wing and cow shed were redesigned. The eastern wing, which housed the study and dining room, was used as assembly and gymnasiums. Memories of that time describe the gymnasium as one of the best educational institutions in Moscow. The three-story light yellow building slightly receded into the block, with a front garden featuring jasmine, linden trees, and chestnuts.

The new house reflects the influence of Art Nouveau, especially in the decor and window openings.

Later, the building housed the polygraphic institute, and the layout was changed with partitions, closing the entrance from the street. The eastern halls retained the ceiling decoration and carved panels.