Income House Vege

An unusual six-story building known as the Vege income house is located between the Mariinsky Theatre and the Nikolsky Naval Cathedral. At first glance, it is a massive dark gray structure with a facade facing the embankment of the Kryukov Canal. The construction of the house dates back to the early 20th century. A distinctive feature of the mansion is the ceremonial courtyard-cordon, framed by the main and side wings.

The architect, Vasily Ivanovich Bazhenov, greatly wished to live near the Nikolsky Cathedral, so he asked the emperor, who favored him, to grant a plot of land on the Kryukov Canal. The emperor granted his request. Unfortunately, Vasily Ivanovich fell seriously ill and had to move to the countryside, where he died. After the architect’s death, the land passed to his sons. The more enterprising of them, Konstantin, used his father’s inheritance to build a two-story stone house on the site of the current mansion. Another brother, Vsevolod, sold his half to the Frenchman Louis Benois, the founder of the St. Petersburg dynasty of architects and artists Benois. Benois then built two low houses on his plot.

Over the course of a hundred years, the owner of the house changed twice. Each time, when remodeling the building, new extensions were added. By the 1910s, a three-story house with attics and a wing was already overlooking the Kryukov Canal. This is how Vege acquired it — a Russian officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Robert Georgievich Vege, a Russian officer and lieutenant colonel, was dubbed the "Chocolate King" by journalists, and the popular rumor caught on. In reality, he owned 20 shares in a truly large confectionery enterprise belonging to the Borman family. G.G. Borman ("Georges Borman"), supplier to the imperial court — that was the real chocolate king.

The house Vege bought did not satisfy him, so he commissioned architect Ovsyannikov to develop a project for a mansion, i.e., a wealthy home for a single family. This was the first commission for the architect, a student of Leonty Benois.

The house was built in just two years (1912-1914). Instead of a mansion, a monumental six-story building with an attic and two bay windows was created. Not a house, but an Italian Renaissance palazzo — and all this beauty for a multi-apartment income house. The highlight of this building is the arch formed by the colonnade framing the entrance to the courtyard-cordon, and the statues of young atlantes. The unified composition cuts through the facade of the building to a height of two floors.

Its facade is decorated with a relief panel featuring plant ornamentation, images of French medieval scenes, and bas-reliefs of female figures. The walls of the basement floor are clad in gray granite, and the entire building is covered with terrazzo plaster. The second floor is adorned with a frieze depicting heroic scenes and Florentine windows.

The highlight of this house is the arch formed by the colonnade framing the entrance to the courtyard-cordon, and the statues of young atlantes. The unified composition cuts through the facade of the building to a height of two floors.

Among other things, the Vege house features expensive, well-appointed apartments and marble bas-relief decorated entrance halls. In the lobby of one of the vestibules, there is still a bench made of natural stone, flanked on both sides by sculptures of satyrs. Many apartments have preserved exclusive fireplaces and elements of stucco decoration.

The apartments were inhabited by high-ranking city officials, aristocrats, admirals, and generals. Some apartments were occupied by artists of the Mariinsky Theatre, conservatory professors, composers, and painters.

Even during the construction of the house, a clock with a Roman dial was installed on the main facade. It was clearly visible from the opposite bank of the canal. After the clock stopped, a plywood sheet was nailed in its place. Attempts to restore the clock’s functionality were made repeatedly, but so far none have been successful. Currently, only a new dial and clock mechanism have been installed. The reason for the delay in the clock’s operation is a lack of funds. The Vege income house has often attracted film directors. This building, executed in the neoclassical style, can be seen in modern TV series and the films "Born by the Revolution" and "The Heritage of the Republic."

Many famous people lived in or visited the Vege house — especially those connected with the world of music, as the house is located near the Mariinsky Theatre. One of the first residents was pianist and conductor Alexander Ziloti, cousin of Sergei Rachmaninoff. Composers Sergei Prokofiev and Igor Stravinsky visited Ziloti, and Fyodor Chaliapin also frequented the house.

From 1934 to 1971, the outstanding geneticist M.E. Lobashev lived and died in this house, as commemorated by a memorial plaque. He became the prototype for Alexander Grigoriev in Kaverin’s novel "Two Captains."

Until recently, the leader of the band "Leningrad," Sergey Shnurov, also lived here.

Sources:

https://peterburg.center/maps/dom-vege.html

https://www.citywalls.ru/house456.html

Photo - Andrello, 2014.