On July 24, 1911, a ceremonial laying of the foundation for the new university building took place at Miusskaya Square.

The idea of creating the People's University belonged to gold industrialist and philanthropist Alphonse Leonovich Shanyavsky, who believed that educating the people was a primary task as early as the 1900s. The university envisioned by Shanyavsky was open to all, regardless of class, religion, or nationality. Education was practically free, and classes were held in the evenings, allowing students to combine study with work.

Alphonse Shanyavsky passed away in 1905, not having seen the realization of his dream. His wife, L.A. Shanyavskaya, and the university's Board of Trustees, led by publisher and philanthropist M.V. Sabashnikov, continued his work.

The People's University began its operations in 1908 in the State Duma building and rented premises at Bolshaya Volkhonka, 14, until 1912. This educational institution was unique both in Russia and beyond.

The university included two departments: academic and popular science. The popular science department provided education at the secondary school level, as students came with varying backgrounds. The academic department offered higher education in natural history and social-philosophical disciplines, where any lectures could be attended. The teaching staff included outstanding scientists and educators.

Among the faculty were A.N. Reformatsky, M.M. Kovalevsky, biologist K.A. Timiryazev, chemist N.D. Zelinsky, and the course on the history of Ancient Rome was taught by poet and literary scholar V.Ya. Bryusov.

In 1910, the need for a new large building arose, and the first donor was the widow of the philanthropist, L.A. Shanyavskaya.

The building project was developed by architect A.A. Eikhenwald, known for his designs of educational institutions in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The main facade and finishing were executed by architect I.A. Ivanov-Shits, with engineers V.G. Shukhov and A.N. Sokolov also participating in the project. The three-story building, with two side risalits and a four-column portico, faced Miusskaya Square. It was designed in the Art Nouveau style but in a strict neoclassical manner.

In 1913-1914, a young Yesenin was among the university's students.

After the 1918 revolution, the university was closed, and its departments were merged with Moscow State University. In 1920, the building was occupied by the first Communist University named after Y. Sverdlov, which trained party leaders.

In 1932, the university was transformed into the Higher Communist Agricultural University, where future collective farm leaders and party workers were educated.

In 1939, the building housed the Higher Party School, which trained professional party workers for the entire country. Graduates of the Higher Party School led party cells in factories, collective farms, and institutes.

In 1991, the building was transferred to the Russian State University for the Humanities.