One of the most beautiful buildings on the ancient Moscow street Spiridonovka is the magnificent mansion of Zinaida Morozova, built by architect Fyodor Osipovich Shekhtel. This was the first major project for the young architect, who had no prior experience with such large-scale commissions. Savva Morozov, already familiar with Shekhtel from working on his dacha, entrusted him with this important task. However, the project was officially led by architect Ivan Sergeyevich Kuznetsov, as Shekhtel did not have the right to independently engage in architectural activities until 1894.

The idea of constructing a new mansion belonged to Zinaida Morozova, who, considering the Nikolsky Manufactory her home, dreamed of a different place to live. As a result, in less than five years, Fyodor Osipovich Shekhtel erected a magnificent palace in the neo-Gothic style. He was assisted in this project by the young artist Mikhail Alexandrovich Vrubel, who was not yet widely known at the time.

The mansion was built on the site of an old house that belonged to the secret advisor Illarion Vorontsov. The noble estate suffered greatly during the Napoleonic invasion and had since fallen into disrepair. Savva Morozov purchased the plot from the impoverished Vorontsovs and gifted it to his wife, fulfilling her dream.

After the construction was completed, Zinaida Morozova spent most of her time in the mansion. Her guests included prominent figures such as Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, Minister Count Witte, writer Chekhov, and many other well-known compatriots.

Savva Morozov spared no expense on his wife's entertainment, but after his death, the widow sold the mansion to merchant Ryabushinsky and moved away. With the arrival of the communists, the building was confiscated from its rightful owners. Initially, it housed an orphanage, and later the building was transferred to the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs, which still owns the mansion under a new name.