Historical and architectural value of the mansion of the XVIII–XIX centuries in Leontief lane was identified by the specialists of the Moscow cultural heritage Department. The subject of protection includes the facades of the house 4, structure 1. They were made in the early XIX century in the style of the Moscow Empire style by architect Afanasy Grigoriev. In addition, the experts noted the uniqueness of the system of vaults, Dating from the second half of the eighteenth century.
Now the historical building is the Embassy of Greece. And in the middle of XVII century on this place was the city mansion of a famous diplomat, the first Russian Ambassador resident count Pyotr Andreyevich Tolstoy. Subsequently, the owners of the estate changed several times. From 1806 to 1809 the estate was owned by Prince Kirill Alexandrovich Bagration, uncle of the commander and hero of the Patriotic war of 1812 Pyotr Bagration. It was during the fire of 1812 the wooden part of the building was destroyed, and stone buildings were badly burned. In 1817 the main house was rebuilt with a new owner Ekaterina Andreevna Volkova, daughter of a Trustee of the Moscow University of Prince Andrey Petrovich Obolensky.
By 1823, the building underwent a new reconstruction, which was engaged in Afanasy Grigoriev. Already in the 1880s, when the estate was owned by the representative of a wealthy merchant family, Hope Sorokoumova, by architect Alexander Kaminsky was changed the interiors of the main house. At the same time was attached to it and a fence with a gate.
According to him, the subject of protection of the monument included all structural elements of the building, the composition and architectural-artistic decoration of the facades. Including 12-columned portico-loggia, pilasters, cornices, bas-reliefs, moldings, rustication, trim, and canted lintels of Windows and window openings and the decorative elements of the courtyard facade. Recognized as a valuable design, form, roof material and all preserved decorative elements of the interiors. It’s painted ceilings, stucco ceiling plafonds, rosettes, reliefs, sculptural elements, stretched ceiling cornices, marble fireplaces, tiled stoves, fitted mirror, parquet, marble slopes of Windows and furnaces, portals and door trim, marble window sills, elements of lighting fixtures and much more.
As noted by Alexey Emelyanov, now all restoration work in the mansion will be subject to the approved of the subject of protection.
the Preservation and restoration of architectural monuments in Moscow — the most important direction in the work of the Department of cultural heritage. Many monuments find a new life, adapt them for modern use, while maintaining the historical appearance of the capital. Since 2011 the city has restored more than 1,400 objects of cultural heritage, of which 203 in 2019.
