Nevsky Prospect 21, Art Nouveau retail building on Nevsky Prospect, Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Nevsky Prospect 21 is a retail building with Art Nouveau design on Saint Petersburg's most famous street. The facade displays three monumental stone arches with large windows framed by decorative sculptural elements created by V.V. Kuznetsov.
The building was constructed in 1911 by architect Marian Lalewicz as the main location for the Mertens family fur trading business. Following the October Revolution, its function changed and it went on to serve important roles in the Soviet economy.
After World War II, the building became the Soviet Union's first House of Fashion, where clothing models and designs were showcased and trends spread throughout the country. It played a key role in shaping how people dressed during the Soviet era.
The building sits directly on Nevsky Prospect and is easily reached from the nearby metro station. The entrance connects conveniently to the Kanal Griboedova exit, making navigation and access straightforward for visitors.
In the courtyard of the building stands a fountain featuring the original Mertens family logo, which depicts a polar bear holding a sphere. This rare detail is a hidden symbol from the pre-revolutionary era that most visitors miss.
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