The Radio House is an architectural monument in St. Petersburg, on Italianskaya street, 27.
Before the emergence of St. Petersburg, the area around the Moika and
Fontanka rivers was inhabited by the Finns and was called "Perusina"
(Finnish perus - land with solid ground). Peruzina occupied a site
bounded by the modern Fontanka and Moika embankments at their
confluence, the Griboedov Canal and a section of Nevsky Prospekt. This
estate was presented by Peter I to Empress Catherine. In 1711 - 1714,
Ekaterina Alekseevna built a palace on the site and began to cultivate a
vegetable garden, called the Third Summer (now Mikhailovsky) Garden. A
road was laid from the bridge across the Moika, which went in the
direction of the future Manezhnaya Square and ended approximately in its
place.
During the reign of Anna Ioannovna, the garden was
reconstructed for "chasing and shooting deer, wild boars and hares" and
was called "jagr-garten". The hunting garden occupied the area from the
Krivusha River (modern Griboyedov Canal) to the current Karavannaya
Street and Nevsky Prospekt.
During the reign of Elizabeth
Petrovna, at the confluence of the Moika and Fontanka, for the Empress,
according to the project of the architect B.F. Rastrelli built a large
wooden Summer Palace. (on the site of the modern Mikhailovsky Castle).
To the south of the palace, according to the project of Rastrelli, a
labyrinth garden was laid out. On both sides of the "street to the
Simeonovsky bridge" (future Karavannaya) was the Elephant Yard.
Under Emperor Pavel Petrovich, on the site of the palace of Elizabeth
Petrovna, according to the project of V.I. Bazhenov and V. Brenna, the
Mikhailovsky Castle was erected, to the south of which stable buildings
and an exercise house (manege) were built, which determined the northern
border of Manezhnaya Square. In 1823 - 1824. years architect K.I. Rossi
carried out the reconstruction of the Manege and the stables. As the
current Karavannaya and Italianskaya streets were built up, the southern
and eastern sides of the square were determined in the 1820s-1850s. In
1836 the square was named Mikhailovskaya.
On the site, which is
currently occupied by the House of Radio, in 1822 a stone three-story
house of the merchant P.P. Sutugin was built. Until 1869, his
descendants owned the house. In 1869, the house was purchased and
rebuilt by the merchant Ya. G. Vasiliev. In 1911, the St. Petersburg
Noble Assembly bought a plot with a house from his son S. Ya. Vasiliev.
(The Noble Assembly traces its history back to the Merchant Assembly
established in 1782. The formation of the assembly coincided with the
Independence Day of the North American United States (hence the other
name - the American Club). Later on, the name changed many times. Any
representative of the society, except for military officials, could be a
member of the assembly above a colonel).
In the same year, a
competition was announced through the St. Petersburg Society of
Architects for the design of the Noble Assembly House. According to the
terms of the competition, published in the journal "Architect", it was
required to design a four-story building with halls for public meetings,
a theater hall, living rooms, card rooms, canteens and buffets, a
library, a billiard room, and other premises for the club's activities.
The project of architects-artists N. L. Markov and F. M. Plyutsinsky won
the competition. But the construction of the House was entrusted not to
them, but to the Kosyakov brothers: Vasily (1862–1921), Vladimir
(1866–1922) and Georgy (1872–1925) Antonovich.
The four-storey
building is designed in neoclassical style. The main entrance is
highlighted solemnly: a wide loggia with order pilasters. Two main
staircases lead from the lobby to the second floor - to the foyer and
entrance hall. Club, service and auxiliary premises are arranged around
the theater hall. In the interior decoration, the authors used marble,
sculpture, decorative and narrative painting.
Construction began
in 1912. By 1914 the building of the Noble Assembly was completed. In
1915, in one of the halls on the second floor, the Church of St.
Nicholas the Wonderworker.
During the First World War, the
building housed a Japanese hospital for 200 people, where Japanese
doctors who arrived in Russia through the Red Cross worked and lived.
In 1918, the Petrograd Proletkult was located in the former house of
the Noble Assembly. From 1924 to 1938 the cinema "Colossus" worked here.
Since 1932, the Leningrad radio broadcasting station has been located in
this house. During the blockade of Leningrad, radio broadcasting did not
stop from here.
Radio in besieged Leningrad
Leningrad radio did not interrupt its broadcast in the besieged city.
For Leningraders, the radio was the only source of information capable
of supporting people. Radio refuted fascist propaganda and talked about
the successes on the frontiers of the defense of Leningrad. As Olga
Bergholz said: “Nowhere did the radio mean so much as in our city during
the days of the war.”
In addition to Olga Berggolts, Vsevolod
Vishnevsky, Nikolai Tikhonov, Dmitry Shostakovich, Maria Yudina, Maria
Petrova, journalists Moisey Blumberg, Lazar Magrachev, Matvey Frolov and
others performed at the microphones of the Leningrad Radio during the
war.
Journalists from the Leningrad Radio went to the front to
record reports.
On August 9, 1942, the premiere of Dmitri
Shostakovich's Seventh Symphony took place, and Leningrad Radio
broadcast the concert from the Great Hall of the Leningrad Philharmonic.
Modernity
Radio "Petersburg" and a recording studio, the Museum of the House of
Radio work in the building.
Since 2004, there has been a live
broadcast studio for the TV program "A Man in a Big City", later "Open
Studio" of Channel 5. From autumn 2017 to April 2022 "Open Studio"
channel 78.
A number of premises as rehearsal venues were
previously rented by musical groups of the city. The Variety Symphony
Orchestra of the Leningrad Television and Radio named after V.P.
Solovyov-Sedogo, later the Governor's Symphony Orchestra of St.
Petersburg, the Mikhailovsky Theater Orchestra, the St. Petersburg State
Academic Symphony Orchestra (SPb GASO) under the direction of Alexander
Titov, the Children's Choir of Television and radio of St. Petersburg
under the direction of Igor Gribkov, the Musical Theater of Children of
Marina Landa.
Since June 2019, Dom Radio has been the official
residence of the orchestra, choir and creative laboratory MusicAeterna
under the direction of conductor Teodor Currentzis.
At the
moment, almost all the premises of the House of Radio are managed by
MusicAeterna.
Built in 1912–1914 by the brothers Vasily, Vladimir, and Georgy
Kosyakov (Косяковы) for the St. Petersburg Noble Assembly, a social club
for nobility that hosted balls, literary evenings, and charitable
events. The assembly had previously rented spaces; this was its
dedicated home.
The design won a competition by the St. Petersburg
Society of Architects. Construction occurred just before World War I,
reflecting the era’s shift toward restrained, monumental classicism amid
emerging modernism. The building later served as a Japanese Red Cross
hospital (WWI), Proletkult center, cinema, and from 1933 onward,
Leningrad Radio—hence its current name. It played a key role during the
Siege of Leningrad (broadcasts by Olga Berggolts, Shostakovich’s Seventh
Symphony transmission, etc.). Today, it houses cultural projects like
MusicAeterna (under Teodor Currentzis) and is undergoing
restoration/adaptation (closed for major work until around 2026).
Architectural Style and Exterior
The building is a prime example
of Neoclassicism with strong Beaux-Arts influences—grand, symmetrical,
and inspired by ancient Greek/Roman forms but adapted to early
20th-century scale and function. Key exterior features include:
Corner Placement and Massing: Prominent corner site gives it a
commanding presence. The terracotta-colored (or warm stone-toned) facade
uses a tripartite division (base, middle, attic) typical of classical
architecture.
Facade Composition: Symmetrical elevations with
rusticated lower levels, pilasters, columns, and entablatures. Large
windows with classical surrounds; decorative cornices and balustrades.
Sculptural Elements: Expressive mascarons (masks/sculpted faces) on the
facade, cartouches, and ornamental details that add richness without
excess. The design emphasizes solidity and dignity.
Roof and Attic:
Traditional pitched or mansard-style roof with attention to skyline
silhouette. The corner tower-like emphasis or rounded elements enhance
urban prominence.
The overall impression is elegant and
restrained—monumental yet integrated into the historic streetscape of
central St. Petersburg, near Nevsky Prospect.
Interior
Architecture and Layout
The interior was designed for grand social
and cultural functions, with high ceilings, spacious halls, and
excellent acoustics (later enhanced for radio and performances):
Main
Halls and Concert Spaces: Grand halls with classical proportions—high
coffered or decorated ceilings, columns/pilasters, and moldings. The
main performance/concert hall features a stage, stepped seating (or
adaptable), and elegant detailing. Recent restoration work highlights
wooden paneling reminiscent of musical instruments.
Staircases and
Circulation: Impressive staircases with balustrades, leading to
multi-level spaces (the building has about 5–6 floors).
Decorative
Details: Plasterwork, cornices, marble or stone elements, chandeliers,
and balconies. Interiors blend original Neoclassical features with
functional adaptations (studios, foyers).
Unique Spaces: Includes the
preserved "Tesla Studio" with historic radio equipment, fono-teka (sound
archive), lecture halls, and rehearsal rooms. Modern interventions
(e.g., acoustic panels with canvas-like texture) create a "new layer"
while respecting the historic shell.
The layout supports
versatility—originally for balls and gatherings, now for concerts,
recordings, rehearsals, and public events. The internal courtyard is
being adapted for year-round use.
Key Architectural Significance
Neoclassicism in Transition: Represents a late flowering of classical
revival before the Russian Revolution and Constructivism. The Kosyakov
brothers’ work shows mastery of proportion, light, and urban
integration.
Cultural Layering: The building embodies St.
Petersburg’s layered history—from imperial nobility to Soviet radio
propaganda/resistance to contemporary experimental arts.
Technical
Aspects: Early attention to acoustics and large open volumes made it
ideal for its radio era. Current restoration (by teams like Tsimailo
Lyashenko & Partners and others) focuses on preserving authenticity
while adding modern functionality (acoustics, lighting, media systems).
The building is under active restoration, expected to complete by the
end of 2026, followed by technical preparation for full public opening.
It is primarily accessible for events, concerts, performances, and
special programs rather than as a free museum or daily tourist site.
Check the official schedule in advance.
How to Get There:
Excellent central location near Nevsky Prospect. From Gostiny Dvor metro
station, turn right, cross Nevsky at Catherine Garden, and walk along
Malaya Sadovaya to the corner building on the right. Nearby landmarks
include the Russian National Library, Mikhailovsky Garden, and other
historic sites—easy to combine in a walking tour.
Hours and Access:
Limited to event times. The site mentions daily operations around
8:00–20:00 or later in some contexts, but this is event-dependent. No
casual drop-in tours during full restoration.
Tickets and Events:
Check musicAeterna’s website (musicaeterna.org) or dom.radio for the
афиша (schedule). Events often include classical/contemporary music,
sound art, poetry evenings, workshops, and experimental projects. Some
require tickets; others may need free registration. Phone storage
lockers ("Kartoteka") are sometimes used for immersive experiences.
Dress Code and Rules: Smart casual or formal for concerts. Follow house
rules (available on dom.radio): no prohibited items (large bags,
weapons, etc.), use the cloakroom, respect silence during performances,
and maintain the cultural atmosphere. It’s a private cultural
institution ("Eterna").
What to Expect: Immersive cultural
experiences tied to music, history, and sound. During events, you may
access restored spaces like the avan-zal. A small museum or exhibits on
radio history (including the Siege period) may be available. The
atmosphere blends neoclassical grandeur with contemporary artistic
experimentation.
Best Time to Visit: Evening concerts or special
festivals. Summer offers pleasant walking in the area; check for outdoor
or combined events. Avoid peak tourist season crowds on Nevsky if
possible.
Accessibility: Central location but check for
stairs/elevators during restoration. Contact organizers for specifics.
Nearby Attractions: Combine with a stroll along Malaya Sadovaya
(charming street), visit the Philharmonia (another historic concert
venue), or explore nearby palaces and museums. It’s part of a mini-route
with House of Cinema.
Practical Advice
Language: Russian
primarily; English may be limited outside major events. MusicAeterna has
some international outreach.
Weather/Season: Petersburg’s climate is
variable—bring layers. Winter events feel especially atmospheric in
historic halls.
Photography: Respect rules; often prohibited during
performances.
For Website Content Creators: This site offers rich
material on Russian/Soviet cultural history, neoclassicism, Siege of
Leningrad resilience, and modern classical music scene. Paraphrase
historical details carefully for accuracy.
Updates: Restoration is
dynamic—verify the latest via official sites or recent news before
planning a trip. By late 2026 or 2027, it should be a premier cultural
hub.