The Eliseev brothers and their stores. 1913 (50 photos)

30 August 2012

The “Eliseevsky” store, famous throughout Russia, could well have been called differently - “Kasatkinsky”, if not for the filial love of two tall young handsome men for their father, who, with his example and instructions, taught his sons hard work and thereby brought them into the people. In glorification not of their real surname - the Kasatkins, but of the name of the priest, they named the business they founded by their common patronymic: “The Eliseev Brothers Partnership.” And the grandchildren cemented their grandfather’s name in the memory of Russia, passing on half a century later this name to two stores, the most luxurious in the entire state and similar, like twin brothers - in St. Petersburg and Moscow. And the third - in Kyiv... Even when after the revolution there was not a single Eliseev left in the trading business, their stores among the people remained “Eliseevsky” - apparently, the walls also have a memory.

The house of the trading partnership "Eliseev Brothers" (Eliseevsky store) is a building on the corner of Nevsky Prospect (building 56) and Malaya Sadovaya Street (building 8) in St. Petersburg, an architectural monument of early modernism.
Store facade.

The house was built in 1902-1903 by the architect Gavriil Vasilyevich Baranovsky for the store of colonial goods of the Eliseev Brothers trading partnership. The building stands out against the backdrop of the classical architecture of Nevsky Prospekt with its stained glass windows, sculptures and luxurious decoration. The style of the building was intended to show the wealth of the partnership and attract the attention of potential buyers. The stained glass window on the Nevsky side of the building, covering several floors, creates the impression of one huge showcase. The facade features sculptures by A. G. Adamson “Industry”, “Trade”, “Art” and “Science”.
Shop of the Eliseev brothers. External view

Inside there were three trading rooms, decorated with mirrors and bronze lamps. On the second floor of the building there was a bank, commercial courses founded by the Eliseevs, and a hall rented out to theater troupes. The basement contained warehouses, refrigerators and one of the best wine cellars in Europe.
Interior view of the store.