GUM, located in the very center of Moscow, until 1953 was known as the Upper Trading Rows. Its building is a very important monument of architecture of federal significance. GUM is one of the largest department stores in Europe. It occupies a significant area - an entire quarter of the capital. The main facade of the building overlooks Red Square.
The construction of a modern GUM dates back to 1890-93. A.N. Pomerantsev is the architect of this building, and V.G. Shukhov - his engineer.
How did the Upper Trading Rows in Moscow
It is hardly possible to determine the year of creation now. Judging by documents dating back to the 17th century, the shopping arcades located on Red Square were the center of wholesale and retail trade 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 were many small wooden benches that often burned during Moscow fires. Flames especially flared up in winter. Their main reason was the use by clerks of improvised stoves for heating in cold weather. Interestingly, during a severe fire that occurred in 1812, the quarter with benches somehow survived.
New building
The new building for the Moscow Upper Trading Rows was built in 1815. O. Beauvais became his architect. The building after the construction 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 became so dilapidated that once a woman, trying on a dress in a store, broke her leg, falling through the floor, rotten over time.
Establishment of a joint stock company
At the end of the 19th century, when our country was experiencing 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 did not agree with the proposal, as it violated their property rights. In addition, for the small trader, even the shortest downtime threatened ruin. The owners of the building decided to create a special commission that put forward impossible conditions for 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 the Upper Trading Rows.
In Moscow, six years later, in 1886, a committee was formed to create a charter designed to regulate the process of restructuring the old building. The emperor personally approved this charter, after which the trial on property rights to land began. In August 1888, the long-awaited consent was obtained. Two-thirds of the owners joined the Society, then a board was elected. The amount of share capital amounted to 9, 408, 400 rubles. Shares with a par value of 100 rubles were issued for the entire amount.
Project A. Pomerantsev
On November 15, 1888, the All-Russian competition started. Projects have been received from all over the country for the new building of the Upper Trading Rows. Old shops began to be demolished on the same day. In total, 23 projects were submitted 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 combined the Upper Trading Rows in Moscow, designed by the Pomerantsev project. Their architectural style maintained continuity. The building resembled 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, the other was built in the former Warm ranks. It also has survived to the present day. The building is somewhat smaller in size than the GUM. It faces 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 persons - representatives of the local government and the city administration. The construction of the building was completed in 1893. The upper shopping arcade in Moscow from now on was a large complex consisting of two buildings, as well as an underground shopping street, which was equipped with central heating and a power station.
The opening date of the shopping arcade is December 2, 1893. On this occasion, the city residents served a prayer service, and then Sergei Alexandrovich, the Grand Duke, together with his wife Elizaveta Petrovna personally inspected the building. The upper trading rows in Moscow since that time have become more than just a trading facility. Under the glass roofs of this building, whole families came over the weekend to admire one of the most beautiful and elegant buildings in Moscow. The photo above refers to 1893.
New Upper Trading Rows
The newly opened Upper Trading Rows (GUM building) were three-story, consisting of 3 longitudinal passages. Passage overlappings - steel arch trusses 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 shops. Trading places located in the new building were rented to the most famous companies. Not surprisingly, the cost of renting in such a luxurious building as the Upper Trading Rows in Moscow became very expensive. Their architecture attracted attention, and the interior was up to par. Beautifully finished, shining with mirrors, furnished with luxurious furniture, they were amazing. In total there were 322 departments on 3 floors of the building. They could buy any kind of food or industrial goods. For wholesale, the basement of the building was intended.
In the passage, sellers began to offer additional services to attract more buyers. For example, a branch of the International Moscow Bank has appeared in the Upper Trading Rows. Also, jewelry and engraving workshops, a hairdressing salon, a post office, and 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 cost of a particular product. Usually the price was too high, so buyers traded to bring it down. Now, for the first time, price tags have begun to be used, thanks to which people have lost their traditional entertainment. It is also interesting that the Upper Trading Rows in Moscow (architect - Pomerantsev) is a department store in which for the first time in Russia a book of complaints and suggestions appeared. Finally, in practice, the rule began to apply, according to which the buyer is always right. A wardrobe was opened in the Upper Trading Rows, a help desk began to work. Concerts and exhibitions, music evenings began to be arranged.
Upper Trading Rows after the October Revolution
After the revolution in 1917, the stores in the building were nationalized. They were closed, and then reopened by resolution of V. I. Lenin. However, trade in the passage after nationalization began to decline. It completely stopped after 1918. The building of the Upper Trading Rows in Moscow (GUM) has now begun to be used by various institutions. Writing desks were brought into once luxurious salons, 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 station 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 introducing cost accounting. Since that time, manufacturers could independently manage part of their own products. These years are known in history as the period of the new economic policy (NEP). Many enterprises were leased. The upper trading rows shared this fate. The building housed the State Department Store in 1921 (abbreviated as GUM). True, at that time the passage was no longer the brilliant place as it was known before. Yes, and in GUM they mainly sold office supplies.
Department store in the 1930s and 1940s
I must say that the Upper Trading Rows as a store did not last long. Already in the 1930s. premises began to be adapted again for offices, as well as for enterprises, including 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, the Red Square was supposed to be expanded. To do this, it was necessary to demolish the GUM. However, this project has not been implemented. GUM survived during the Great Patriotic War. It was from here that Yu. B. Levitan on May 9, 1945 transmitted to the Russians the good news of the surrender of Germany.
In 1947, another threat loomed over the building. At this time, on Red Square, they decided to erect a monument dedicated to the victory in the Second World War. GUM, according to the initiators of this enterprise, impedes its implementation. However, the building again survived by a happy coincidence. The monument never appeared on Red Square.
GUM revival
In 1953, the revival of GUM began. It was the time of the Khrushchev thaw. It was then that it was decided to free the GUM from the institutions that occupied it. The reconstruction of the building began. Trading equipment, machinery, building materials were sent from various cities of the USSR. Some stores opened before the work was completed.
The revived GUM has become the largest store in the USSR. A lot of goods were brought to its opening. Huge lines lined up at the store. Police outfits regulated the crowd. In total there were 11 departments in the department store, where they sold ready-made dress, textile goods, knitted goods, shoes, furniture and carpets, household goods, toys and stationery, hats and furs, and cultural goods. The general assortment of the store was more than 30 thousand items.
Another reconstruction
GUM in the mid-1960s was again nearly demolished, but the building was lucky again. The department store was not only preserved, but also became one of the largest in the world after the merger of the following stores: Belgrade, Molodezhny, Prague, Simferopol, Khrustal and Leipzig. The next reconstruction of the GUM was completed in 1985. In 1987, the Eliseevsky deli became part of the department store.
Centenary of the founding of a joint stock company
In 1993, the centenary of the founding of the Upper Trading Rows joint-stock company 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 was opened (from the side of Red Square).
