Historical architectural monument of the 19th century Guma building. Gum - the legendary shopping center in the very center of the capital

On December 2 (14), 1893, the grand opening of the new building of the Upper Trading Rows (architect A. N. Pomerantsev, engineers V. G. Shukhov and A. F. Loleit) took place in the presence of the Governor-General of Moscow, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich and Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna.

A frame from the film "Moscow in Color". 1954 GUM Gastronom.
The inscription on the price tag: "Fresh-frozen beluga, medium, 1 kg - 25r.10k."

F. Hilferding. Red Square in Moscow. 1787
On the right in the engraving, ancient malls on the Red Square.

Engraving by D. S. Lafon after the original by J. Delabarthe. 1795
The upper trading rows after the reconstruction project by G. Quarenghi.

Photo from the 1880s from the albums of N. A. Naidenov.
Old Upper Trading Rows (architect O. Bove, 1815)
The shopping malls, which are visible on the engraving of Gilferding and Lafon, burned down in the fire of 1812, and three years later, according to the project of O. Bove, the building of the new Upper Trading Rows was built on Red Square.
“The views of the Moscow city rows placed here, now partly already broken, were taken with some of their insides even before the order to close them was followed in 1886. In the pictures of these rows are presented in the form in which they were for a very long time.
N. N-in. [N.A. Naydenov]. August 1890"

Photo from the 1880s from the albums of N. A. Naidenov. Interior view: Middle Transverse Passage (from the monument to Minin and Pozharsky).

F. Benois. Monument to Minin and Pozharsky.
In the background is the building of the Upper Trading Rows of O. Bove.

By the end of the 19th century, the building of the shopping arcade fell into a dilapidated state, fragments of plaster sometimes fell on the heads of buyers and sellers. And it was decided to build new rows.

Photo taken in 1889. Demolition of the Upper Trading Rows. The cellars of the late 16th century are visible.

Photo of 1889 by E. Simonov from the archive of the Museum of Moscow.
"During the demolition of the malls, two-tiered chambers from the time of Mikhail Feodorovich [more precisely, 1595 - d1] were discovered. Coins of the 1600s, a helmet, a rapier were found in the cache" From the MAO magazine, dated 1889.

Photo 1891 Construction of the new Upper Trading Rows.
In the summer of 1889, preparations began for the construction of rows. On May 21, 1890, the laying of the building took place. The official ceremony was attended by representatives of the highest Moscow administration and city government. In 1890-1891, the foundation and walls of the Upper Trading Rows were erected, and in 1893 its lining and interior decoration The huge Upper Trading Rows with their two buildings and a whole underground street under the house, with central heating and its own power plant, were built in two and a half years.

Photo of 1893. Fragment of interiors.

Photo taken in 1898. Cellars of the Upper Trading Rows.

Photo of 1899 from the archive of the Museum of Maecenases. Fragment of interiors. Fur shop P. Sorokoumovsky.

In the period 1918 - 1921. various Soviet offices moved into the building of the shopping arcade, and with the beginning of the New Economic Policy, trade returned here again and GUM appeared - the State Department Store.

Photo taken in 1931 by Branson DeCou.

By the mid-1930s, trade was once again forced out of the building by various institutions.
In 1953, shortly after the death of I. V. Stalin, it was decided to revive GUM.

Photo taken in 1953. Reconstruction of GUM.
The fountain in the center of GUM is a historical building founded in 1906.
The base of the fountain is a unique structure, built according to a complex design scheme - according to the same principle by which domes were calculated during the construction of churches. Originally the bowl of the fountain was round. But in 1953, during the reconstruction of the GUM building, its shape was changed, laying out a new octagonal base made of red quartzite.
The upper composition - an openwork design, which has become a kind of symbol of GUM - was made by chasing from copper sheets. This made it possible to lighten the total weight of the fountain installed on the ... dome. The bowl of the fountain rests on a system of metal frames located in the basement of the building. The support was designed and manufactured at the beginning of the 20th century specifically for the Upper Trading Rows and has survived to this day.

Photo, 1953 Installation of a sign.

Photo taken in 1953. GUM before opening.

Photo taken in 1953. GUM before opening.

Photo from the 1950s E. Evzirikhin.

Photo taken in 1954. In the GUM Gastronome.

Photo of the beginning 1960s
Long years - favorite place"guests of the capital" ...

GUM, located in the very center of Moscow, was known as the Upper Trading Rows until 1953. His building is a very important federal building. GUM is one of the largest department stores in Europe. It occupies a significant area - a whole quarter of the capital. The main facade of the building overlooks Red Square.

The construction of the modern GUM refers to 1890-93. A.N. Pomerantsev is the architect of this building, and V.G. Shukhov - his engineer.

How the Upper Trading Rows appeared in Moscow

It is hardly possible to determine the year of creation now. Judging by the documents dating back to the 17th century, the malls were the center of the wholesale and retail in the capital. In those years, between Ilyinka and Nikolskaya there was a long two-story building, known as the Upper Trading Rows. Opposite him was a monument to Minin and Pozharsky. Behind the building there were many small wooden benches that often burned during Moscow fires. The flames flared up especially often in winter. Their main reason was the use of home-made stoves by shop assistants for heating in cold weather. Interestingly, during a strong fire that occurred in 1812, the quarter with shops for some reason survived.

New building

A new building for Moscow's Upper Trading Rows was built in 1815. O. Bove became its architect. The building after construction was divided into separate parts that belonged to private owners. When the time came for a major overhaul, it turned out that it was impossible to get consent for it from all the owners. As a result of the lack of repair, the building fell into such disrepair that one day a woman, trying on a dress in a store, broke her leg, falling through the floor, rotten with time.

Creation of a joint stock company

At the end of the 19th century, when our country was experiencing a powerful industrial and economic boom, the Moscow governor-general decided to demolish the old building and build a new one. However, the owners again disagreed with the proposal because it violated their property rights. In addition, for a small merchant, even the shortest downtime threatened ruin. The owners of the building decided to create a special commission that put forward impossible conditions to the city authorities. The Moscow Duma could not agree to them in any way, so the matter dragged on. With the support of the Moscow governor-general in 1880, the owners of the building were obliged to create a joint-stock company, called "Upper Trading Rows".

In Moscow, six years later, in 1886, a committee was formed to create a charter to regulate the process of rebuilding the old building. The emperor personally approved this charter, after which the proceedings began on property rights to the land. In August 1888, the long-awaited consent was received. Two-thirds of the owners joined the Society, then a board was elected. The share capital amounted to 9,408,400 rubles. Shares with a nominal value of 100 rubles were issued for the entire amount.

Project by A. Pomerantsev

On November 15, 1888, the All-Russian competition started. Projects for the new building of the Upper Trading Rows were received from all over the country. The old shops began to be demolished on the same day. In total, 23 projects were presented to the commission, the work of A. Pomerantsev was recognized as the best. The proposal of this architect met the main requirements of the competition. Profitability and rationality were combined in the Upper Trading Rows in Moscow, designed by Pomerantsev. Their architectural style kept continuity. The building looked like an old building.

The architectural style can be defined as pseudo-Russian. The upper trading rows in Moscow, according to the plan of A. Pomerantsev, included two buildings. Currently, one of them is known as GUM, while the other was built in the former Warm Rows. It has also survived to this day. slightly smaller than GUM. It ends up on the street. Ilyinka. Thus, identifying GUM and the Upper Trading Rows is not entirely correct.

Construction of a new complex and its opening

The official solemn ceremony of laying the new Upper Rows took place in May 1890. It was attended by important people - representatives of self-government and city administration. The construction of the building was completed in 1893. From now on, the Upper Trading Rows in Moscow were a large complex consisting of two buildings, as well as an underground shopping street, which was equipped with central heating and a power plant.

The opening date of the malls is December 2, 1893. On this occasion, the city residents served a prayer service, and then Sergey Alexandrovich, Grand Duke, together with his wife Elizaveta Petrovna personally examined the building. Since that time, the upper shopping arcades in Moscow have become not just a shopping center. Under the glass roofs of this building, whole families came for the weekend to admire one of the most beautiful and elegant buildings in the city of Moscow. The photo above is from 1893.

New Upper Trading Rows

The newly opened Upper Trading Rows (GUM building) were three-story, consisting of 3 longitudinal passages. Passage ceilings are steel arched trusses with 16-meter glazed spans. There were three halls inside the building.

As before, trade area was divided among the owners. However, from now on they were salons, not shops. The trading places located in the new building were rented out to the most famous companies. No wonder, because the cost of renting in such a luxurious building as the Upper Trading Rows in Moscow has become very expensive. Their architecture attracted attention, and the interior decoration was on top. Beautifully finished, shining with mirrors, furnished with luxurious furniture, they amazed the imagination. In total there were 322 departments on 3 floors of the building. They could buy any kind of food or industrial goods. The basement of the building was intended for wholesale trade.

In the passage, in order to attract more buyers, sellers began to offer additional services. For example, a branch of the International Moscow Bank appeared in the Upper Trading Rows. Also, a jewelry and engraving workshop, a hairdresser's, a post office, and a dentist's office began to work here. The restaurant opened in 1895.

Important innovations

In the old days, in small shops, the seller announced to the buyer the cost of a particular product. Usually the price was too high, so buyers haggled to bring it down. Now, for the first time, price tags have begun to be used, thanks to which the people have lost their traditional entertainment. It is also interesting that it was the Upper Trading Rows in Moscow (architect - Pomerantsev) - the department store in which for the first time in Russia appeared. Finally, the rule began to be applied in practice, according to which the buyer is always right. A cloakroom was opened in the Upper Trading Rows, and an information desk began to work. Concerts and exhibitions, musical evenings began to take place.

Upper trading rows after the October Revolution

After the revolution that took place in 1917, the shops located in the building were nationalized. They were closed and then reopened by the resolution of V. I. Lenin. However, trade in the passage after the nationalization began to decline. It stopped altogether after 1918. The building of the Upper Trading Rows in Moscow (GUM) from now on began to be used by various institutions. In the once luxurious salons brought desks, and officials filled these rooms. The building of the Upper Trading Rows in Moscow has become a rather uncomfortable place. First, the heating was turned off in it, and then the power plant located in the basement was flooded with water, as a result of which the building lost electricity.

NEP period

In the 1920s, state-owned enterprises began to introduce self-financing. Since that time, producers could independently dispose of a part of their own production. These years are known in history as the period of the New Economic Policy (NEP). Many businesses have been leased out. The upper trading rows shared this fate. In 1921, the building housed the State Department Store (abbreviated as GUM). True, at that time the passage was no longer the brilliant place as it was known before. Yes, and they sold mainly stationery in GUM.

Department store in the 1930s and 1940s

It must be said that the Upper Trading Rows as a store did not last long. Already in the 1930s. the premises again began to be adapted for offices, as well as for enterprises, among which was the printing house of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR, which worked until 1995. In accordance with the General Plan for the Reconstruction of Moscow, adopted in 1935, Red Square was supposed to be expanded. For this it was necessary to demolish GUM. However, this project was not implemented. GUM also survived during the Great Patriotic War. It was from here that Yu. B. Levitan on May 9, 1945 conveyed to the Russians the joyful news of the surrender of Germany.

In 1947, another threat loomed over the building. At that time, it was decided to erect a monument dedicated to the victory in the Great Patriotic War on Red Square. GUM, as the initiators of this enterprise believed, hinders its implementation. However, the building survived again by a happy coincidence. The monument never appeared on Red Square.

Revival of GUM

In 1953, the revival of GUM began. That was the time. It was then that it was decided to free GUM from the institutions that occupied it. The reconstruction of the building has begun. Shop equipment, technique, Construction Materials were sent from various cities of the USSR. Some shops opened before the work was completed.

The revived GUM became the largest store in the USSR. A lot of goods were brought in for its opening. Huge queues lined up outside the store. Police squads controlled the crowd. In total, the department store had 11 departments, they sold ready-made clothes, textile goods, knitwear and underwear, shoes, furniture and carpets, household goods, toys and stationery, hats and furs, and religious goods. The total assortment of the store was more than 30 thousand items.

Another reconstruction

GUM in the mid-1960s was almost demolished again, but the building was once again lucky. The department store not only survived, but also became one of the largest in the world after the addition of the following stores: "Belgrade", "Youth", "Prague", "Simferopol", "Crystal" and "Leipzig". The next reconstruction of GUM was completed in 1985. In 1987, the Eliseevsky grocery store became part of the department store.

Centenary of the founding of the joint-stock company

1993 marked the centenary of the founding joint-stock company"Upper Trading Rows". The celebration for this occasion continued for a whole week. Many figures of science and culture, as well as business people took part in it. In GUM these days the main entrance was opened (from the side of Red Square).

Department store today

Today, the department store is one that meets the most modern requirements. The Showroom has recently been refurbished. Night illumination decorated main facade GUM. Since 2006, a skating rink has been built in front of the store in winter. Almost every tourist who comes to Moscow longs to visit the Upper Trading Rows (GUM). The style of the building reflects the Russian spirit, and inside you can find a lot of interesting things.

Address of the Main Department Store (GUM): Moscow, Red Square, 3, metro: Okhotny Ryad, Revolution Square, Teatralnaya.
Phone of the Main Department Store: (495) 788-43-43.
Main department store open every day from 10.00 to 22.00.
Main Department Store website: http://www.gum.ru

Main Department Store (GUM)(until 1953 Upper Trading Rows) - a large shopping complex in the center of Moscow and one of the largest in Europe, occupies a whole block and faces Red Square with its main facade, is an architectural monument of federal significance.

Among the trading establishments in Russia at the end of the 19th century, the Upper Trading Rows occupied a special place.

This largest shopping mall played an important role in the economic life of the country. Passage (from French - passage, passage) - a type of commercial or business building in which shops or offices are placed in tiers on the sides of a wide passage with a glazed coating. The location of the malls in the very heart of Moscow, in the ancient center of Russian trade, predetermined their rich history.

Already in the 17th century, almost all retail and wholesale trade in Moscow was concentrated in the shopping malls on Red Square.

The place that is now occupied by GUM, Vetoshny passage and the opposite row of houses along it, has long been a bustling shopping center of the city.

The building of the Upper Trade Rows was built in 1890-1893 according to the project of architect A. N. Pomerantsev and engineer V. G. Shukhov. The building is designed in pseudo-Russian style.

The building was located in the quarter between Red Square and Vetoshny passage along the radius: as documents of that time testify, the length of the facade overlooking Red Square was 116 sazhens, and that of 122 sazhens facing Vetoshny passage.

The grand opening of the Upper Trading Rows with the participation of the Governor-General of Moscow, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich Romanov and Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna took place on December 2 (14), 1893.

In a giant three-story building, consisting of three longitudinal passages with deep cellars, more than a thousand stores were located. The structure of the passage floors is arched steel trusses with glazing of sixteen-meter spans. In addition to the arcades, the building has three large halls. In exterior finish used Finnish granite, Tarusa marble, sandstone.

In 1952-1953, the building was restored and turned into the State Department Store (abbreviated name - GUM). Currently, the shopping complex is not a state-owned one, but the name GUM is still used today along with the old name "Upper Trading Rows".

Icon of the Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky on the facade of the GUM building.






Near the building of the Upper shopping arcade are:

Archival documents confirm that already in the 17th century, almost all retail and wholesale trade in Moscow was concentrated in the malls. Crowded with people and wagons, the old Upper Trading Rows had a decent view only from the side of the square. And only from afar. From to stretched a two-story building, reminiscent of the current architecture: two central turrets, eight columns, large rectangular windows on the first floor, semicircular windows on the second. This structure blocked the view of the swarm of small, unkempt wooden shops.

These benches burned several times a year. Especially often the fires were in winter because of the stoves, which were heated by clerks and merchants. But, ironically, the largest Moscow fire in 1812 bypassed the malls.

In 1815, according to the project of Osip Bove, a new building of the Upper Trading Rows was built. This building was divided among private owners, and they could not be persuaded even to overhaul. Not only was there no electricity and because of the threat of fire it was impossible to use candles, but also the building was collapsing before our eyes. Once a layer of plaster fell on the buyers, and another time the lady, trying on a velvet dress, fell through the rotten floor, broke her leg and was taken to the hospital right in an unpaid renovation - the owner was afraid to remind her of this.

At the end of the 19th century, the authorities announced a competition for a new building for the Upper Trading Rows. Many wanted to perpetuate the glory of their talent, so the most eminent architects of that time took part in the competition.

The design of the building in the pseudo-Russian style by A.N. Pomerantseva, V.G. Shukhov and A.F. Loleita. But the most difficult was ahead: Moscow merchants did not want to stop trade during construction. Even the erection of temporary commercial premises did not help. Therefore, the authorities had to take extreme measures - to lock up the old shops and put guards in front of them.

As a result, in 1890-1893, a new building of the Upper Trading Rows was built on Red Square. It caused genuine admiration! Three spacious passages (commercial or business buildings, where shops or offices are placed in tiers on the sides of a wide passage with a glazed coating) finished with Finnish granite and marble, own power plant, artesian well for local water supply, underground Railway for the transport of goods. But most of all, the roof was surprising - completely transparent, which let in sunlight during the day, and at night allowed you to admire the moon. It took 60,000 glasses to create this miracle.
True, claims were sometimes made against the architectural style of GUM, they say the building only pretends to be primordially Russian, but in fact it is a European passage, dressed up in an inappropriate Russian costume.

The giant three-story building of the Upper Trading Rows housed more than 1,000 stores. Now the trading area was divided not into shops, but into salons, decorated with mirrors and furniture. To attract customers, a bank branch, an engraving and jewelry workshop, a hairdresser's, a dentist's office, and a post office were opened in the Upper Trading Rows. That is, GUM became the prototype of modern shopping and entertainment centers, since it was possible to combine a shopping trip with a visit to a performance or an exhibition.

The first price tags in Moscow appeared here. If earlier the seller himself announced the price to the buyer, and it was possible to bargain with him, now the cost of goods has become fixed. The first domestic book of complaints and suggestions appeared here.

After nationalization, shops were evicted from the building of the Upper Trading Rows, and officials took their place. The building was dilapidated, electricity and heating were not supplied, and the power plant in the basement was flooded with water.

GUM owes its new name and revival to Vladimir Lenin. In 1921, he ordered the opening of the country's main store here. And V. Mayakovsky did advertising for him.

Whatever the stomach, body or mind requires,
Everything is provided by GUM.

For a long time, shops had to coexist with state institutions. And in 1934-1936, GUM was planned to be demolished for the construction of the building of the People's Commissariat of Heavy Industry in its place. But the plan was not destined to be fulfilled.

The second time they wanted to demolish GUM in order to erect a monument on Red Square in honor of the victory in the Great Patriotic war. It was also proposed to close the building with stands or a wall, to rebuild its facade, but GUM again survived. By the way, it was from this building on May 9, 1945 that Levitan transmitted the long-awaited message about the surrender of Germany and the victory of the USSR in the Great Patriotic War.

Guide to Architectural Styles

Few people know that at the beginning of the 20th century, 22 families settled in GUM. Communal apartments were arranged on the upper floors of the building, and ordinary citizens settled in these rooms overlooking the city.

Living conditions in GUM were spartan: there were no toilets and bathrooms in the apartments, and a common kitchen was not organized either. But there were "bonuses" in the form of a constantly working fountain, free orchestra concerts and film screenings.

In 1952-1953, the GUM was restored, and the residents were quartered in other houses. Then trade resumed. The former chief administrator of GUM, Serafima Pavlovna Khrunova, said that people still continued to live in the mezzanines of the second and third floors of the third line, and GUM was already working with might and main.

The historic showroom has now been restored. Cultural events are still held, and Canteen No. 57 plunges visitors into the Soviet past with dishes prepared according to the canons of a book about tasty and healthy food.

An equally interesting place is the recreated toilet from the time of Alexander III, where you can not only use the relevant services, but also take a shower, brush your teeth, shave, change the baby and just admire the magnificent interiors.

In 2007, the fountain was restored in GUM. It immediately became a popular meeting place. By the way, initially it was round, and only in 1985 received an octagonal base. In 1992, the over-gate icon of the Mother of God, which appeared above the entrance from the side in 1893, was restored. IN Soviet time it was smeared over, and found during the restoration.

But the most famous innovation is the illumination of the outer facade of the building. This is exactly how GUM, flooded with millions of lights, is known to residents and guests of Moscow.

And although now the shopping complex is not a state-owned one, the name GUM is used along with the Upper Trading Rows. But more and more often the store is called the main department store of the country. And in August 2012, the shopping center achieved the recognition of the GUM abbreviation as a trademark, and now, perhaps, only one store will bear this name - on Red Square.

They say that...... clerks often made fun of customers. For example, they caught mice, put them in a box and wrapped them in bright paper with bows. They put this “gift” in the way of buyers and watched how a respectable gentleman or lady with a thievish look raised a rodent. And sometimes they froze a small coin to the floor and laughed at the attempts of a passerby to chip it off.
... in 1972, official M. Suslov was going to close GUM. Victoria Brezhneva, ordering a fur coat in the atelier of the store, learned about this threat. The next day, the question of liquidation was removed.
...in Soviet times, GUM had 30,000 items of goods. Not surprisingly, he drew huge lines, the participants of which were jokingly called "humanists". True, there was also a “200th section”, where you could get anything you wanted without a queue. But only members of the government and top party members had access there. And sometimes foreigners were taken there to show how good it is to live in the USSR.

GUM in photographs of different years:

N once the largest passage in Europe - the Upper shopping arcade, or the modern GUM. The neo-Russian style building was built on a historically trading place at the end of the 19th century in record time - three years. The architects were given only three months to develop the project. The main condition is the preservation of the architectural harmony of the main Moscow square, because the shopping arcade turned out to be face to face with the ancient building of the Kremlin. We suggest recalling 10 facts about the architectural monument with Natalia Letnikova.

Upper shopping malls. In the center of the capital between Ilyinka and Nikolskaya they traded three hundred and four hundred years ago. The first stone trading rows were built under Boris Godunov. Neatly along Vetoshny Lane. Under Catherine II, the architect Giacomo Quarenghi developed the design of the Upper Trading Rows in the style of classicism. Osip Bove completed the work after the fire of 1812. Barely half a century has passed - the shopping complex required reconstruction. The shopkeepers could not reach an agreement with the city authorities. As a result, the building was declared emergency and a competition was announced for the construction of a new one.

All-Russian competition . Rationality, economy, architectural harmony with the historical landscape. Architects' projects submitted to the competition had to meet at least three requirements. 23 architects from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Odessa and even Berlin presented their vision of a new building on Moscow's main square. The projects were placed in three halls of the Historical Museum. By the way, the new building should have been in harmony with the bright red stone tower - Historical Museum made in the neo-Russian style.

"Moscow merchants". Academy of Arts, Construction Department of the Provincial Government, Technical Committee, Architectural and Artistic Society. The project was chosen by common efforts - by a special commission. The first prize of six thousand rubles was awarded to the work under the motto "Moscow merchants" - St. Petersburg architect Alexander Pomerantsev. The second prize went to the work of Roman Klein - the future author of the Museum of Fine Arts, the third - to the Austrian August Weber - one of the authors of the building of the Polytechnic Museum. Pomerantsev's project was personally approved by Alexander III.

From temples to shopping arcade. By the time of the competition, architect Alexander Pomerantsev had only managed to complete the project of the Temple-Monument to Alexander Nevsky in Sofia by order of the Bulgarian prince, build a wooden church in Fedoskino and a hotel in Rostov-on-Don. Subsequently, Pomerantsev took the post of chief architect of the 1986 All-Russian Exhibition in Nizhny Novgorod. Together with Viktor Vasnetsov, he built the second largest after the Cathedral of Christ the Savior - the Moscow Cathedral in the name of Alexander Nevsky, destroyed in 1952.

"City in the City" by Alexander Pomerantsev. Sixteen separate buildings with glazed streets between them, arcade galleries. A large central tower with a main entrance, gates and turrets. The new building on Red Square came out solemn and harmoniously blended into the historical landscape. The upper trading rows have become the largest passage in Europe - along the length of the galleries and the area of ​​the "glass sky". Icons with especially revered saints were placed above the entrances to GUM: images of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, the Savior Not Made by Hands, Elijah the Prophet, Sergius of Radonezh.

The glass sky of the "man-factory". The inventor and innovator Vladimir Shukhov, included in the hundred outstanding engineers of all time, applied an innovative approach when building the roof of the Upper Trading Rows: arched structures with cable tightening, which made it possible to reduce the weight of the roof. Shukhov hid the eight-petalled dome behind the facade of the building. The abundance of glass gives the building a feeling of lightness, although it took 800 tons of metal to build the floors. Openwork steel frame from metal rods has become a real work of art.

Progress in the old Russian style. The most high-tech Moscow building of its time. An artesian well, heating and ventilation systems, sewerage, even its own snow melter and a mini railway for transporting goods. Gas lighting in the city and its own power plant in the mall. From shops to salons. The shopping arcade became not only a place for buying and selling, but also a prototype of a business center. Representative offices of trading companies are located on the third floor, and wholesale shops are located in the basement.

Trade in the Parisian spirit. The fixed price for goods in Russia was first introduced in the Upper Trading Rows. The experience of the owner of the store "Le Bon Marche" Aristide Boucicault, who set price tags and invented sales in the middle of the 19th century in France, has also taken root in Russian trade. In the Moscow Trade Rows, sales - "cheap" ones were very popular with the townspeople. The rows have become a kind of exhibition of the achievements of the capitalist economy: Kalashnikov watches, Abrikosov confectionery, Brocard perfumery. In a word, pre-revolutionary boutiques of Russia. Mayakovsky. "To GUM, Komsomol members, to GUM, workers' faculty!"- called the poet. But, having already become the Main Department Store, the Upper Trading Rows were on the verge of demolition more than once. In the mid-30s of the twentieth century, they wanted to build a huge People's Commissariat of Heavy Industry on Red Square - on the site of GUM. But this plan remained on paper, as did the intention in 1947 to erect a monument on this site in memory of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. Since 1953, GUM has again become a shopping arcade and one of the symbols of the city.