Mertens House

A trading house that is an architectural monument of regional significance. The building dates from 1911-1912, is made in the Art Nouveau style with a combination of neoclassicism. The author applied completely new engineering and artistic solutions for the beginning of the 20th century: for the first time he used a monolithic iron-concrete load-bearing structure. Three huge glazed arches, rich sculptural decor. The customer was Friedrich Ludwig Mertens, the owner of the family fur business. His father, Friedrich Ludwig, a Saxon furrier-merchant, came from Europe to Russia, where furs were traditionally considered symbols of status and wealth. He opened a shop in Gostiny Dvor and began selling various fur products. His son becomes a trendsetter in St. Petersburg, dressing the entire bohemian audience of the turn of the century in furs. Members of the imperial family and the royal courts of Europe purchase furs from Mertens' Atelier. In Soviet times, the building housed the Leningrad House of Models. Currently, a trading house is located here.