Writer 's Skyscraper

The Writers' Skyscraper is a house where many Soviet writers lived. Its history dates back to the 1720s. Initially, the plot with residential and commercial buildings belonged to the Court Stable Department. The three-storey house acquired a modern look in the spirit of classicism during the reconstruction in 1831-1856, designed by architect A.I. Bourgeois. Then a Stable infirmary was placed in it. Since 1882, it has been placed at the disposal of a musical choir. Composers and choir directors lived in the house. In the 1930s, the building was renovated and two floors were added to accommodate writers. Due to technical limitations, the house had low ceilings and small apartments. Writers lived in the building, including O. D. Forsh, M. M. Zoshchenko, V. A. Kaverin, Y. P. German, V. K. Ketlinskaya, A.A. Akhmatova, L. I. Rakovsky, M. L. Slonimsky and others. Memorial plaques are installed on the facade in memory of the residents. Since 1992, the M.M. Zoshchenko Museum has been operating in the building, which in 2007 was transformed into the XX Century State Literary Museum.