GUM and the Upper Trade Rows in Moscow: a description, history and architecture peculiarities

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

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

How did the Upper Trade Rows appear in Moscow

The year of creation is now hardly possible. Judging by the documents dating back to the 17th century, the shopping arcades on Red Square were the center of wholesale and retail trade in the capital. In those years, between Ilyinka and Nikolskaya was a long two-story building, known as the Upper Trade Rows. Opposite him was a monument to Minin and Pozharsky. Behind the building were many small wooden benches, which often burned during the Moscow fires. The flames were especially frequent in winter. Their main reason was the use of stewards of homemade ovens for heating in frosts. It is interesting that during the severe fire that occurred in 1812, the quarter with benches for some reason survived.

New building

The new building for the Moscow upper shopping arcades was built in 1815. O. Beauvais became his architect. The building after the building was divided into separate parts belonging to private owners. When the time came for a major overhaul, it turned out that it was impossible to obtain consent from all owners. As a result of the lack of repair, the building was so dilapidated that one day a woman, trying on a dress in a store, broke her leg, collapsing through the floor, rotting with time.

Establishment of a joint stock company

At the end of the 19th century, when our country experienced a powerful industrial and economic upsurge, the Moscow Governor-General decided to demolish the old building and build a new one. However, the owners again disagreed with the proposal, as it violated their property rights. In addition, for the petty trader, even the shortest idle time threatened ruin. The owners of the building decided to create a special commission, which put forward unrealistic conditions for the city authorities. The Moscow Duma could not agree to them, 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, known as the "Upper Trading Rows."

In Moscow, six years later, in 1886, a committee was set up to create a charter, designed to regulate the process of restructuring the old building. The Emperor personally approved this charter, after which proceedings began on the property rights to land. In August 1888, the long-awaited agreement was obtained. Two thirds of the owners joined the Society, then the board was elected. The size of the share capital was 9,408,400 rubles. Shares, the nominal value of which was 100 rubles, were issued for the whole amount.

Project A. Pomerantsev

November 15, 1888 the All-Russian competition started. From all over the country, projects have been submitted for a new building of the Upper Trade Rows. Old shops began to demolish the same day. A total of 23 drafts were submitted to the commission, and A. Pomerantsev's work was recognized as the best. The proposal of this architect met the main requirements of the competition. Economy and rationality were combined in the Pomerantsev's Upper Trade Rows in Moscow. Their architectural style retained continuity. The building looked like an old building.

Architectural style can be defined as pseudo-Russian. The upper trading rows in Moscow, according to A. Pomerantsev's plan, included two buildings. At present one of them is known as GUM, the other one was built in the former Warm Rows. It has also survived to this day. The building is a bit smaller than the GUM. It comes out on the end of the street. Ilyinka. Thus, to identify GUM and Upper trading rows is not entirely correct.

The construction of the new complex and its opening

The official solemn ceremony of laying the foundation of the new Upper ranks was held in May 1890. Important persons were present at it - representatives of the local government and city administration. Construction of the building was completed in 1893. The upper trading rows in Moscow from now on were a large complex consisting of two buildings, as well as an underground shopping street that was equipped with central heating and a power station.

The date of the opening of the shopping arcades - December 2, 1893. On this occasion, the citizens of the city served a moleben, and then Sergei Alexandrovich, the Grand Duke, together with his wife Elizaveta Petrovna personally inspected the structure. The upper trading rows in Moscow have since become not just a trading object. Under the glass roofs of this building came to the whole family for a weekend to admire one of the most beautiful and elegant buildings in Moscow. The photo presented above, refers to 1893.

New Top Trade Rows

The newly opened Upper Trading Rows (GUM building) were three-story, consisting of 3 longitudinal passages. Overlapping passages - steel arched farms with 16-meter glazed spans. Inside the building there were three halls.

As before, the sales area was divided between the owners. However, from now on these were salons, not benches. The shopping centers located in the new building were handed over to the most famous companies. No wonder, because the very expensive became the cost of rent in such a luxurious building as the Upper Shopping Rows in Moscow. Their architecture attracted attention, and the interior decoration was on top. Perfectly finished, shining with mirrors, furnished with luxurious furniture, they struck imagination. There were 322 departments on 3 floors of the building. They could buy any kind of food or manufactured goods. For wholesale trade, the basement premises of the building were intended.

In the arcade to attract more buyers, sellers began to offer additional services. For example, in the Upper Trade Rows, a branch of the International Moscow Bank has appeared. Also, jewelry and engraving workshops, a hairdressing salon, a post office, a dental office began to work here. The opening of the restaurant took place in 1895.

Important innovations

In the old days, in small shops, the seller announced to the buyer the value of a particular product. Usually the price was overstated, so buyers bargained to knock it down. Now, for the first time, they started using price tags, due to which the people lost their traditional entertainment. It is also interesting that it is the Upper Trade Rows in Moscow (the architect - Pomerantsev) - a department store in which for the first time in Russia a book of complaints and proposals appeared. Finally, in practice, the rule began to apply, according to which the buyer is always right. In the upper shopping arcade, a wardrobe opened, and a help desk began to work. Began to arrange concerts and exhibitions, musical evenings.

The Upper Trade Rows after the October Revolution

After the revolution in 1917, the shops in the building were nationalized. They were closed, and then reopened according to Lenin's resolution. However, trade in the arcade after nationalization began to decline. It ceased altogether after 1918. The building of the Upper Trade Rows in Moscow (GUM) has now begun to be used by various institutions. At one time, luxurious lounges brought in desks, and officials filled these premises. The building of the Upper Shopping Rows in Moscow has become quite an uncomfortable place. First, the heating was turned off in it, and then the power station in the basement flooded with water, as a result of which the building lost its electricity.

NEP period

In the 1920s, enterprises that belonged to the state began to introduce self-financing. From that time, manufacturers could manage their own part of their own products. These years are known in history as the period of the new economic policy (NEP). A lot of enterprises were leased. The upper trading rows shared this fate. The building in 1921 housed the State Department Store (abbreviated - GUM). However, at that time the passage was no longer the brilliant place that it had been known before. Yes, and sold in GUM mainly office supplies.

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 were again adapted to offices, as well as to enterprises, including the USSR Council of People's Commissars, which operated until 1995. In accordance with the General Plan for the Reconstruction of Moscow, adopted in 1935, Red Square was to be expanded. To do this, it was necessary to demolish GUM. However, this project was not implemented. GUM survived during the Great Patriotic War. It was from here that Yu. B. Levitan, May 9, 1945, gave the Russians the glad tidings of Germany's surrender.

In 1947, another threat loomed over the building. On Red Square at this time decided to put a monument dedicated to victory in the Second World War. GUM, as the initiators of this enterprise believed, hampers its implementation. However, the building once again survived by a happy coincidence. On the Red Square the monument never appeared.

Revival of GUM

In 1953 the revival of GUM began. It was the time of Khrushchev's thaw. It was then decided to release GUM from the institutions that occupied it. The reconstruction of the building began. Trade equipment, machinery, building materials were sent from various cities of the USSR. Part of the stores opened before the work was completed.

The revived GUM became the largest store in the USSR. A lot of goods were brought to his discovery. The store lined up huge queues. Police outfits regulate the crowd. In total there were 11 departments in the department store, there they sold ready-made clothes, textile goods, knitwear and linen goods, footwear, furniture and carpets, household goods, toys and stationery, hats and furs, kulttovary. The total assortment of the store was more than 30 thousand items.

Another reconstruction

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

The centenary of the formation of the joint-stock company

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

Department Store Today

Today the department store is a large shopping and entertainment center, which meets the latest requirements. Recently, the Demonstration Hall was rebuilt. Night illumination was adorned by the main facade of GUM. Since 2006, before the store in the winter, an ice rink is poured. Almost every tourist who has arrived in Moscow, wants to visit the Upper Trade Rows (GUM). The style of the building reflects the Russian spirit, but inside you can find many interesting things.