The building that previously housed the Nobility Assembly was constructed in 1837 for the reception of the heir to the throne, the future Emperor Alexander II. It was located at the northeast corner of the intersection of streets now known as Karl Marx and International. No information has survived about the appearance and interior of the wooden building. By the late 1880s, it had fallen into disrepair, and it was decided to build a new building that would correspond to the status of the Nobility Assembly. In 1892, the Tambov governor approved the plan for the new building, with funds raised from the nobility in proportion to their holdings.

The project was developed by junior architect F.A. Svirchevsky, but he likely used a standard design, as similar buildings were being constructed in various cities at that time. Tambov symbolism was reflected in decorative elements, such as the coats of arms of district towns on the columns of the main entrance. Construction was completed in 1897. The building had three facade walls, the central one serving as the main entrance with elegant arched openings and a balcony with a lace-like railing.

The mansion was designed in the style of Northern European Renaissance, rich in decorative elements. The interiors were also decorated in this style. Some elements have survived to this day, such as the grand staircase with cast-iron railings adorned with the coat of arms of Tambov Province, and a large mirror on the landing.

In the early years, public events were discussed in the building, and it shaped the opinions of the Tambov nobility on political and economic issues. In 1897, the Lumière cinematograph was demonstrated here for the first time in Tambov. In 1912, one of the first 'electric theaters' named 'Coliseum' opened in the southern wing, which soon became associated with the entire building. Famous artists such as F.I. Shalyapin and pianist Y.I. Ziloti performed on its stage.

From August 1920 to the summer of 1921, a peasant uprising known as 'Antonovshchina' took place in Tambov Province. During this time, Tambov was fortified by units of the Red Army under the command of M.K. Tukhachevsky. The building, renamed 'Workers' Palace', housed a post of Red Army soldiers, as well as stored weapons and ammunition. Many party leaders, such as L. Trotsky and M. Kalinin, visited here. Until 1929, the auditorium remained the largest in Tambov, and in the late 1920s, the building was repurposed for a theater. In 1937, the Tambov Regional Drama Theater named after A.V. Lunacharsky was officially established here, and it still occupies this building today.