The house on Stara Bozhedomka Street, renamed Durova Street in 1927, was built in 1894 by Austrian architect A.E. Weber. In 1871, August Yegorovich came to Moscow at the invitation of entrepreneur A.A. Porokhovshchikov to build the 'Slavyansky Bazar' restaurant and stayed to work in the city. He adhered to an eclectic style in architecture, in which the building was constructed, where Vladimir Durov founded his 'living corner' in 1912.

The worldwide fame of 'Durov's Corner' was the result of many years of work with animals. Unlike other trainers who used whips and other cruel methods, Vladimir Leonidovich developed a methodology based on conditioned reflexes and rewards. This approach was based on the works of Nobel Prize laureate I.P. Pavlov and Professor I.M. Sechenov. V.L. Durov also collaborated with renowned scientists such as psychiatrist V.M. Bekhterev and professors G.A. Kozhevnikov, A.V. Leontovich, and A.L. Chizhevsky. To support this activity, architect M.D. Polikarpov reconstructed the building in 1911-1912, adding wings and extensions for the zoo and zoological museum. This allowed for scientific experiments and paid performances for the public. One of the popular acts was the 'Mouse Railway,' conceived by Durov before the revolution.

The motto of 'Grandfather Durov's Wonderland' or 'The Theater of Animals named after V.L. Durov' has always been the words: 'Entertain while teaching!'. The fame of Vladimir Leonidovich saved him during the years of revolutionary terror. Despite his noble origin and wealth, in 1919 he was allowed to resume performances and live in his house. In 1927, V.L. Durov was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the Republic, and Stara Bozhedomka Street was renamed in his honor. He lived on this street until 1934.

In 1980, a new building was constructed next to the historic 'Durov's Corner' by architects G.E. Saevich and T.T. Lazarenko.

By 2017, the theater housed 556 animals, from elephants to mice. Currently, there are plans to build a new stage with a hall for 450 seats for the 'Durov's Corner' theater.