The Secretariat building of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance on Novy Arbat, known as the "book house," is one of the most recognizable skyscrapers in Moscow, resembling a giant open book. It is a recognized masterpiece of Soviet modernism.

The Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA) was an intergovernmental economic organization that existed from 1949 to 1991. It was created by the governments of the USSR, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, and Czechoslovakia to strengthen economic ties between the Soviet Union and the member countries. The Council dealt with scientific and technical cooperation, mutual assistance in raw materials, food, and equipment, as well as the development of unified standards. At various times, it included East Germany, Mongolia, Albania, Cuba, and Vietnam. The CMEA headquarters was located in Moscow.

The complex of CMEA buildings was constructed from 1963 to 1970 based on the designs of architects Mikhail Posokhin, Ashot Mndoyants, and Vladimir Svirsky, with the participation of almost all member countries of the Council.

The main administrative building, standing 105 meters tall with 33 floors, is designed in the form of two smoothly curved wings that symmetrically spread apart and converge on the opposite side, united by a central trunk. Its unusual shape and smooth lines make the building resemble a giant book opened towards the Moscow River. The idea was for the skyscraper to "open" Novy Arbat for those entering from the direction of the Novoarbatsky Bridge. Due to its shape, the building received the popular nickname "book house."

In addition to the 33-story "book house," the complex includes the 11-story hotel complex "Mir" and a cylindrical conference hall adorned with mosaics, all connected by a common two-story stylobate.

Advanced technical methods were used in the construction of the CMEA complex: multilayer exterior panels were applied on such a scale for the first time in the USSR. The experience of designing and constructing the building also contributed to the widespread use of various types of foam in the construction of residential and industrial facilities.

After the dissolution of the CMEA, the building housed the Government of Moscow.