Schusev State Museum of Architecture (Moscow)

 museum, Neoclassical (architecture), architectural organization, 1780s construction, object of cultural heritage of federal importance (Russia)

In the early 18th century, Peter the Great relocated the Apothecary Gardens to build earthen bastions along the Kremlin wall. The Tsar's Apothecary Office, located here, was no longer necessary.

Sometime later in the mid 18th century Aleksandr Fyodorovich Talyzin and his uncle Ivan Lukyanovich (1700-1777) purchased the land. Ivan Talyzin was an admiral. Then in 1752 he became a Senator. Ten years later he took part in the revolt in June 1762 that led to Catherine becoming tsarina. Aleksandr's older son Stepan fought with General Suvorov and the younger son, Pyotr took part in the conspiracy in 1801. While commander of the Preobrazhensky Regiment at the Mikhailovsky Castle, Pyotr Aleksandrovich sealed off the exits of the palace when Paul I was murdered. In 1805 the manor passed to the Ustinov family and at some point in the 19th century it became the State Chambers, or financial center of the city.

Sometimes attributed to Matvei Kazakov, this 18th century neoclassical mansion was probably built over time by a serf architect and master builder for the Talyzin family. When finished in 1787, the unifying facade incorporated the 17th century apothecary and several other buildings into the estate. Six pilasters with Corinthian capitals mark the central section of this highly symmetrical building.