Gingerbread House on the Moika River Embankment

This building has the popular name of "gingerbread house". The two-story mansion on the Moika River embankment was built in the late 19th century by the architect Victor Schreter for his family. The building was built in the so-called brick style, it was the favorite style of the architect. Buildings built in this style are characterized by the decor of unplastered brick. It is one of the forerunners of the Art Nouveau style.

Magazine "Zodchy" 1894

On the first floor of the building were the dining room and other common rooms, as well as service rooms. The second floor was grand and beautifully decorated, and in addition to the bedrooms and rooms for the older children, there was a living room and boudoir. The attic was entirely devoted to children: there were children's rooms and classrooms. There were eight children in the architect's family and the parents were very attentive to their upbringing and education. Two sons became architects and the daughter Maria became an artist.

Behind the house there was a small garden, into which you could go down a spiral staircase, but to my great regret this staircase has not survived.

Under the small balcony is a relief sign of an intersecting triangle and a compass. It is the sign of the St. Petersburg Society of Architects. Victor Schroeter was the founder of this society.