Harkovskaya “Bankova” – Nikolaevskaya Square. <br>(Part 3)8 photos

The “Banking” District of Kharkov – Nikolaevskaya Square.
(Part 3)
Among the various financial institutions, the Building of the Mutual Credit Society, designed by A.N. Beketov, stands out at the southern end of Nikolaevskaya Square (built between 1903 and 1905). However, just 10 years later, the building was reconstructed by another architect, Y.U. Zaune. This structure too was destroyed during the war. It was restored with the intention of converting it into a restaurant; completion occurred in 1959 under the supervision of architects R.M. Podgornaya and I.N. Lavrentyev.
Nearby, at the corner of Torgovaya Square (Rosa Luxembourg Square) and Pletnevsky Lane, lay one of the oldest banks in Kharkov: the Urban Merchant Bank. Initially located in a two-story building owned by merchant Lomakin, this structure was considered one of the most luxurious in the city. It even once housed Emperor Alexander I during his visits to Kharkov. However, in 1908 the building was deemed unsafe and demolished. A nationwide competition was held to design its replacement. According to the plans of Kharkov merchants, the first floor would house the bank, the second and third floors offices similar to modern businesses, and the top three floors would accommodate the Astoria Hotel. The new building, designed by architect Alexander Rzepishevsky, was completed in 1913. To this day, this beautiful—though somewhat somber—building continues to adorn our city.
The true highlight of the southern part of Nikolaevskaya Square was the Trade Exchange Building, designed by B.G. Mikhailovsky and constructed in 1881. This stone structure, resembling an ancient temple with Corinthian columns, stood on a raised base. After the revolution, it housed an aeroclub; however, it was demolished in 1928 due to the construction of a tram line.
But it wasn’t just the luxury of these banks that reflected Kharkov’s economic prosperity. The Income House of the “Russia” Insurance Society, designed by I.A. Pretro and built in 1916, fit seamlessly into the series of similar buildings constructed by this major Russian insurance company in major cities across the country at the beginning of the 20th century. This six-story building was built in the neoclassical style, with shops on the ground floor and large six- to eight-room apartments above. Its trapezoidal shape, along with its additional interior wings, created three internal courtyards—one on each side and a central one leading to Nikolaevskaya Square and Goryainovsky Lane (now Kvitki-Osnovyanenko Street). Sculptural groups adorn the facades of all Income Houses of the “Russia” Insurance Society—whether in Moscow, St. Petersburg, or Kharkov. Some believe these sculptures represent a common symbol for all these buildings, with the figure of “Russia” holding a shield that seems to embrace all the society’s clients; the lower layers of the sculptures on the building walls depict the various areas of insurance coverage.
In short, Nikolaevskaya Square was not only located in the heart of the city and the center of urban life but also served as Kharkov’s financial hub, embodying its prestige and luxury.
Source: vk.com/old_kharkov
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